Celebrating the two hundredth Anniversaries of The Birth of Baha'u'llah and The Bab |
Meditations on the Titles of 'Abdu'l-Baha I close my eyes and listen as his titles-- each with a special meaning-- echo through my mind. The Servant of Baha Born Abbas Effendi in 1844, he chose the title of Servant for himself. It was the rank he preferred, the one he exemplified in his daily life. The Center of His Covenant The Covenant: God's promise to never leave His creation without guidance. In this age that guidance comes through Baha'u'llah, The Glory of God. The Covenant is the magnet that attracts God's grace and reveals divine unity. The power of the Covenant-- its pivot-- is the oneness of humanity. 'Abdu'l-Baha is the center of Baha'u'llah's covenant, which is part of God's ancient promise never to leave humanity without guidance. The Mainspring of the Oneness of Humanity He was not color blind, rather he saw the varied skin tones of humanity as beautiful. Referred to those with African skin tones as black roses and the pupil of the eye: the dark chocolates in the candy box of humankind. The Stainless Mirror of His Law He was the polished mirror reflecting-- in its utmost purity-- the light of divine law, revealed by Baha'u'llah to humanity. The Unerring Interpreter of His Word Deepened in the sacred scriptures, and assisted by the Holy Spirit he elucidated on their more profound meanings. The Mystery of God Not a Divine Manifestation, he was somewhere between the Manifestation of Divinity and an ordinary human being. Without a trace of ego, he served the Glory of God through his service to humanity. The Most Great Branch Eldest son of Baha'u'llah-- the Manifestation of God for this age-- he was the first family member to recognize his father's station. The Perfect Exemplar In him word and deed were one. He saw none as lesser than himself. Treated all equally respecting their humanity as creations of the Unknowable Creator. The Limb of the Law of God Obedient to Divine Law, he lived a life of servitude to God and humanity. His words and actions reflected the meaning of obedience to human kind. Poet's Note: ▼ |