>>> Charmain January
<shocj@protem.uct.ac.za> 10/29/03 07:24AM >>>
What do you find spiritually enriching about
Century of Light?
The love and knowledge of God enriches the
human spirit. Although the
COL is not a divine text in itself it is
unique in that it sheds light
on the Revelation of Baha'u'llah and the
impact it had on the course
of events over the last one hundred years.
In reviewing these matters and giving it
careful thought we are given
the opportunity to gain a greater insight
into the implications of His
revelation. While many scholars have
attempted to review aspects of the
last century; this is unique. It has been
prepared under the supervision
of the Universal House of Justice itself.
Thus
it is divine in origin.
Key learnings -
*The acknowledgement of the role of women in
promoting the rise of the
Faith in the West referred to as a
"galaxy of unforgettable women"
referring here to Lua Getsinger, Sara Lady Blomfield, and many others
including the Queen of Romania
* The impact of the rise and expansion of the
administrative order under
the loving guidance of the Beloved Guardian,
Shoghi Effendi through
letters, publications providing the necessary
visioning for the work
that lay ahead for the believers in the West.
* 1944 the celebration of the completion of
the seven year plan which
was hugely demanding on that community.
* Holding aloft the leaders who promoted
international peace such as
Eleanor Roosevelt, the impact of the U.N.
security court and
international court of law (or an earlier
version of it referred to as a
public court) thus leading to a definite
break with "the fetish of
insane nationalism" or national
sovereignty and the subsequent
transformation of leading political figures
who now found a "home" for
their ideals in the UN arena.
* A culture of peace emerged which brought
forth new leaders such as
Anne Frank and several others and the release
of Nelson Madela
represents a victory for the human family.
Respectfully Submitted by: C. January