Dear Friends,
The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary defines a covenant, in biblical terms, as ‘an engagement entered into by God with a person, nation etc’ In Bahá'í terms it is the fulfilment of that Promise of God through the coming of Bahá’u’lláh.
Recently we celebrated the Day of the Covenant, a Day given to us by the Master in lieu of celebrating His own birthday, which, as we know, was 23rd May 1844 and coincided with the Declaration of the Báb. God’s Covenant for today is even more vitally important than it was during any previous Revelation within the Adamic Cycle. Today, in its towering strength, it prevents the Cause of God from splitting as well as allowing the ‘water of life’, the Writings, to come down to the individual in a pure and unpolluted form.
It was essential that Bahá’u’lláh, after His passing, made absolutely sure that mankind would turn to ‘Abdu’l-Báha. This He did, in writing, in his own Will:
“ 'When the ocean of My presence hath ebbed and the Book of My Revelation is ended, turn your faces toward Him Whom God hath purposed, Who hath branched from this Ancient Root.' The object of this sacred verse is none other except the Most Mighty Branch [Abdu'l-Bahá]. Thus have We graciously revealed unto you Our potent Will, and I am verily the Gracious, the All-Powerful.”
In writing the Master secured the firm and strong Covenant by instructing all the Bahá'ís to turn, after His passing, to Shoghi Effendi. The vast majority of the friends did. A few fell by the wayside after 1921.
‘Abdu'l-Bahá also made special reference to the House of Justice to which we turn today for infallible guidance.
“Guard ye the Cause of God, protect His law and have the utmost fear of discord. …....Unto the Most Holy Book every one must turn, and all that is not expressly recorded therein must be referred to the Universal House of Justice. That which this body, whether unanimously or by a majority doth carry, that is verily the truth and the purpose of God Himself. Whoso doth deviate therefrom is verily of them that love discord, hath shown forth malice, and turned away from the Lord of the Covenant”.
To the degree we cling to the words and messages of the Universal House of Justice today results in strengthening the unity of the Bahá'í family around the world and also allows our own individual souls to develop rapidly gaining the qualities we all require in this world and the next.
What the House of Justice says to us today is what the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh want us to do today:
Core activities; reading the Writings night and morning; saying our obligatory prayers; keeping the fast; attending the Feast and sharing this great message with those of mankind around us who have not yet had the bounty and joy of hearing the message; and much more.
In their 9 January letter of 2001 the Universal House of Justice stated:
“Vast numbers among the peoples of the world are ready, indeed yearn, for the bounties that Bahá’u’lláh alone can bestow upon them once they have committed themselves to building the new society He has envisioned.”
With warmest greetings, Bahá'í Council for Northern Ireland.
The Bahá'í Council for Northern Ireland elected its officers at the first meeting of the new year held on 28 November, and is happy toannounce the following:
Chairman: Mr Eddie Whiteside Secretary: Dr Keith Munro Treasurer: Mr Edwin Graham Vice Chairman: Mrs Lesley Taherzadeh
The Council would like to take this opportunity to thank Pat Craig for her many years of loyal and dedicated service on the Council. Her humorous and enthusiastic personality will be missed greatly.
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