‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of the founder of the Bahá’i faith, is considered to be a very special soul. He spent most of his life in captivity, but towards the end of his time on earth, he was released from political and religious bondage, and traveled to Europe and North America, giving profound talks and meeting with quite a few esteemed and honored personages. He was even greatly honored in the newspapers. It’s not to hard to confirm this if you wish.
As I write this in western Montana, the leaves have been falling from the trees. We’ve had Indian summer, though the frost in the mornings seem to show that is now just a memory. It was the spring when ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke at a Christian church in New York City on April 14, 1912. It must have been vibrant, sunny, and his talk contained a strong sense of the season of the Spring.
The light of truth has heretofore been seen dimly, through variegated glasses, but now the splendors of Divinity shall be visible through the translucent mirrors of pure hearts and spirits. The light of truth is the divine teaching, heavenly instruction, merciful principles and spiritual civilization.
– Talks by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: The Spirit of Christ, p. 57.
This time of year has always been my favorite since I moved to Montana. But right now, I also sense the difficulties as autumn progresses, the light of the sun becomes dimmer, and the cold advances. For many, it’s not just the next few months, but the next few years that seem to portend much difficulty. In many ways, looking back at 1912 and what was coming, there were going to be two very deadly world wars. Yet how beautiful a vision of Spring was promised, not just in his talk, but in all the “splendors of Divinity” in the “divine teaching” we’ve been graced with. What a glorious season ahead as we reflect the divine light, and grow in grace in the sunlight of truth.