And remind them that they are the illumined souls envisioned by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in His prayer: “Heroes are they, O my Lord, lead them to the field of battle. Guides are they, make them to speak out with arguments and proofs. Ministering servants are they, cause them to pass round the cup that brimmeth with the wine of certitude. O my God, make them to be songsters that carol in fair gardens, make them lions that couch in the thickets, whales that plunge in the vasty deep.” (27 December 2005, Universal house of Justice to the Conference of the Continental Counsellors)
What exactly is a hero? Recently I had a discussion with one of my readers about a role we can perform as a “spiritual midwife” ushering someone into the next world. I’ve had this experience a couple of times, totally unexpected, totally through the grace of God both times.
The first time, one of my neighbors found out that a previous boyfriend, spending time in a maximum-security prison, was dying of cancer. She petitioned to the prison authorities and won the right for his discharge into her care, so she could look after him in the final week of his life. I never knew what his crime was, and it doesn’t matter. Close to the time of his passing, she called and asked if I could confirm what she thought was a “death rattle”. I’d never heard one before and didn’t know what I was listening for, but I grabbed my prayer book and for an hour, I said all the prayers for his steadfastness, imagining him turning towards the light. I said all the prayers for forgiveness, asking God to forgive his sins. I prayed for the ease of his passing, for the healing of those he was leaving behind and every other thing I could think of. After about an hour, my voice was tired, and my friend suggested I take a break and come into the kitchen for a cup of tea. While she was making it, she looked out the window, and saw him going! We both rushed into the bedroom and I took a mirror to confirm that he had passed, and he had. Then the most surprising thing happened, something that an hour before, I never would have imagined myself doing in a million years: I offered to wash his body! She agreed, so I rushed upstairs and grabbed some attar of rose and performed that sacred task for him, a man I didn’t even know, but who I’ve felt deeply spiritually connected to ever since.
The second story is this: recently a friend of mine committed suicide and it troubled me greatly. When I was pouring my heart out to God, I was instructed to say prayers for his steadfastness, to help him turn towards God in the last second of his life, remembering that there is no time or space in the next world. I pray that it worked. I will not know for sure till I get there myself, but it gives me great comfort to believe that I can still perform this act retroactively.
I wonder if being a hero is just being in the right place at the right time, performing small but meaningful acts as directed by God. We are illumined souls by virtue of our access to the Bahá’í Writings. We are guides when we speak out with arguments and proofs based on the words of God we’re able to share with others. We’re ministering servants when we provide the God-inspired Writings that provide people with the wine of certitude. I wonder if that’s God’s idea of being a hero?
Knowing I can be a hero through teaching and service, I am grateful!
What jumped out for you as you read today’s meditation? I’d love it if you would share so we can all expand our knowledge of the Writings!
If you liked this meditation, you might also like my book Learning How to Be Happy
I love the concept of being a spiritual midwife. Our virtual Dawn prayers space has held two dear souls who have passed. We have been a spiritual reservoir for the families to seek refuge and solace through prayer.
Yes, this is such a precious service we can render through our dawn prayers and devotional gatherings, Oonagh! I love it too.
Thank you for this lovely post. I volunteer for hospice. The gift of this experience, for everyone involved, is beyond scale.
Hospice is so lucky to have spiritual midwives like yourself volunteering, Eve. Thank you for your service.
I believe I’ve helped several people prepare for their transition, even giving them permission. Those are among my most precious memories. I did not know what was most appropriate to do, but prayed for guidence and followed what was clear. In a culture that tries to hide death, helping people with the transition is a priceless service.
I agree Duane. There’s no service like it!
This is a beautiful article. I’ve just come back from a Baha’i funeral, a friend who passed from Covid. While at the funeral I met his niece whom I haven’t seen since she was in my children’s class about 10 years ago. She’s not Baha’i and is grown up now and very depressed because another of her friends has just passed. By chance I gave her my phone number incase she ever wanted to talk. She looked up at me and said “I’d like that very much.” This was all by chance, in a split second. Why I telling this is not because I’m particularly good at counselling people, but over the years I’m gaining strength to step in and hopefully say a right thing now and then. I think you have a point Susan, it’s little things,
like drops in an ocean, that makes heroes out of the comfort and support we can give to others.
What a great story and a great opportunity Bertha! I love hearing people’s stories! Thank you.
Dear Susan,
Thank you so much for your beautiful article and sharing the wonderful happenings!
You are not only a heroine but a very brave and shining soul.
Much love, Rosemary
That’s very kind of you to say Rosemary. Thank you. I appreciate the encouragement (and am trying to stay humble).
Paraphrasing: – Give me the name of any hero and I will tell you a story of a tragedy…
I guess that’s why one doesn’t become an hero by free will, instead is forced to become one. However so many people suffer tremendously, but only a very few will become heroes or will perform heroic acts…
Thus, while a tragic life is somehow necessary for one to be an hero, not always is it suficent, something must be added to the equation… spiritual qualities!
Definitely food for thought, Pedro. Thanks for this. Surely we all want to be heroes even just for something ordinary. I’ve taken to saying “you’re my hero” when someone does something for me that I couldn’t have done for myself, and it really lifts them up visibly. Probably we will never know what God considers to be a hero. It might mean that getting out of bed and putting clothes on one day when that’s the best I can do would qualify! Please God! 🙂