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Midweek Reflections on the Day of the Covenant

Idal (Justice), 4 Qawl (Speech) 177 B.E. - Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Day of the Covenant

"The Will of the divine Testator is this: It is incumbent ... My Kindred to turn, one and all, their faces towards the Most Mighty Branch. Consider that which We have revealed in Our Most Holy Book: “When the ocean of My presence hath ebbed and the Book of My Revelation is ended, turn your faces towards Him Whom God hath purposed, Who hath branched from this Ancient Root.” The object of this sacred verse is none 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-Bountiful. Verily God hath ordained the station of the Greater Branch [Muḥammad ‘Alí] to be beneath that of the Most Great Branch [‘Abdu’l‑Bahá]..."

Bahá’u’lláh123

On this most auspicious day,
I contemplate 'Abdu'l-Baha--
the Center of Baha'u'llah Covenant--
the Most Mighty Branch,
the Most Great Branch,
the Mystery of God,
the Perfect Exemplar,
the Master,
and the Servant of Baha.

I intone a prayer for cteadfastness
in the covenant of my Lord,
I raise my voice in gratitude
for the example
of the Servant of Baha4.

I give thanks for the technology
that allows me to celebrate
the Day of the Covenant
in this time of pandemic
when social distancing
prevents attendance to celebration
in Baha'i Centers and Temples.

I turn toward the Point of Adoration,
access the Tablet of Visitation--
revealed by 'Abdu'l-Baha--
and say the prayer
in celebration
of the Day of the Covenant.

Author's Note: ▼

The titles in the first stanza are only some of those give to 'Abdu'l=Baha.

Footnotes
1  (Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, Kitáb-i-‘Ahd (Book of the Covenant)
2  https://www.bahai.org/r/078110759
3  Quoted in "Why Do Baha’is Celebrate the Day of the Covenant?" by From the Editors, https://bahaiteachings.org/why-bahais-celebrate-day-covenant/
4  This is the title 'Abdu'l-Baha preferred.