Anyone still around who is old enough to remember the old Burma Shave signs that use to appear along rural roads, one phrase at a time every few miles apart may remember this one: “Spring has sprung – The grass has riz – Where last year’s careless driver is.” According to the calendar, spring has sprung!
On March 21, the Baha’i community celebrated the beginning of spring with a New Year’s celebration that falls simultaneously each year with the vernal equinox. The even is followed by the observance of the Feast of Baha (Splendor), the first Feast of the New Year. The Baha’i New Year is preceded by the 19-day fast between sun up and sundown during which time special dawn prayers and others throughout the day whet our spiritual appetites and give us more discipline over physical desires. During this special period not only is the habit of daily devotions reinforced, but also the combined spiritual impetus of the effects seems to create unimaginable occurrences.
We become more aware each day that we are in an unfair world. But we fail to see or to acknowledge the fact that we contribute to its injustice – by not actively participating in some way (large or small) to whatever would aid and abet justice, or we may just find it easier to sin by silence. Why not investigate the diverse volunteer opportunities in the Roanoke Valley that are easily found through Google.
This is a New Year! Not just another cycle of the sun but the beginning of a New Cycle of Reality; a New Age, A New Century, a New Time, a New Day! Therefore it is very blessed. “The rising of the sun at the equinox is the symbol of life and likewise is the symbol of the Divine Manifestations of God, signalizing New Life for the world,” state the Baha’i Holy Writings. “Human reality begins to live, our thoughts are transformed and our intelligence quickened. The Sun of Truth bestows eternal life just as the solar sun is the cause of terrestrial life… This period of time is the Promised Age! Soon the whole world, as in springtime, will change its garb. The New Year hast appeared and the Spiritual Springtime is at hand.” ~ ‘Abdu’l-Baha.
Investigate!
