Let each one of you become the servant of the other; let each sacrifice himself for the sake of the other. (From a Tablet of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá—translated from the Persian, from Give me Thy Grace to Serve Thy Loved Ones, Compilation for the 2018 Counsellors’ Conference, [15])
I’m absolutely amazed at how creative people around the world have been since the start of the pandemic. People self-isolating are finding ways to use technology to stay in touch, have children’s classes, and junior youth programs, study circles and devotional gatherings. Because they are online, they can embrace larger numbers of people. Parents at home are more receptive to encouraging their children and youth to participate or even to get involved with the community building process themselves. People are reaching out to friends, neighbors and acquaintances more often, especially those in places where the numbers of people infected with the COVID-19 virus are high.
This week, my landlord (who owns many apartment buildings across a large geographic area, called to see if I was OK and to determine if there was anything I needed. One of my neighbors dropped off some home-made muffins and this morning, my 80-year old neighbor called to say she was going grocery shopping and asked if I needed anything. People all over the world are becoming servants to one another, and sacrificing themselves for their neighbors. Never before in the history of mankind, has everyone in the whole world agreed to take a certain course of action, for the betterment of the world. This will have long term implications and bring us a lot closer to the longed-for Most Great Peace.
Knowing the world has taken a giant step forward, 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
Dearest Susan, Thank you for this timely piece. It is amazing to see the unity that has resulted from this enforced social distancing. People are becoming more and more creative in finding ways to demonstrate their support for one another! I see hearts and teddy bears in windows, chalk encouragement on the sidewalk and even little animal stories taped to streetlight poles! I see neighbours our walking with their families. I see more and more people in our Baha’i community participating in community activities online!
I ache for the people who are suffering and I am grateful for the blessing in disguise!
Thank you for being part of this Community support!
I agree Susan. It’s like the whole world is recognizing the oneness of humanity. The world will never be the same, and I am grateful!
There are a few people I know who in the beginning of self isolation didn’t believe this had anything to do with them but recently have been making masks for a local hospital. One family In our Baha’i community has two young children and both she and her husband are working from home right now trying to keep the 3 year old busy and quiet so they can work, but they are finding humor inbetween the stresses. In our Cluster we’ve had more virtual Ruhi’s, children’s classes, committee meeting, devotionals, Junior Youth, even ‘home visits’ with greater participation than usual. And even though I don’t need anything because I live with my son and family, it is so endearing to have a phone call asking if I need any meals or help. I do hope the world stays with this intimacy and pays close attention to what this time is teaching us.
That’s my prayer too, Bertha!