Dear Friends,
The last month has shown heartbreaking images from natural disasters in Northern California and Haiti and to humanity’s utter desperation in the pullout of American forces in Afghanistan.
Whenever these horrors happen, regardless of culture, religion, or nation, the question is always “WHY”? Why do these horrible things happen, destroying lives, destroying property, and destroying hopes and dreams?
Looking at it from a religious perspective, the answers are many:
For some, this is all Satan’s doing or is the work of his cohorts in the spirit world,
For others, suffering and adversity strengthen one’s faith, as pain often leads to repentance, prayer, and good deeds,
For others, the idea of existence and suffering are one, that you can’t have one without the other, and the practice of detachment must be made so one is not affected.
For others, it’s times like these that are opportunities to help, to bring comfort, to heal, and give back hope when hope was lost.
Of course, living through this uncertainty, pain, torment, and destruction at the time is painful, awful, sorrowful and someone telling you these possible reasons for it is not helpful at the time. But anyone who has been through tough times, whatever the cause, knows that time does heal some wounds.
Let us all pray for the people of Northern California and the people of Haiti for relief from the natural disasters and for the people of Afghanistan for an end to conflict and an opportunity to rebuild their country. Let us pray for those Afghans who have escaped to other countries, and ease their entry to a new country. And at all times, let us have in our hearts kindness, love, and generosity for all those that have suffered and have less than us. Let us join hands to help those in need in whatever way we can, across religious labels, nationality, or any other barrier.
Serene Erby
President, Interfaith Council of Greater Sacramento
Baha’i Prayer for Humanity
Thou kind Lord! O Thou Who art generous and merciful! We are servants of Thy threshold and are gathered beneath the sheltering shadow of Thy divine unity. The sun of Thy mercy is shining upon all, and the clouds of Thy bounty shower upon all. Thy gifts encompass all, Thy loving providence sustains all, Thy protection overshadows all, and the glances of Thy favor are cast upon all. O Lord! Grant Thine infinite bestowals, and let the light of Thy guidance shine. Illumine the eyes, gladden the hearts with abiding joy. Confer a new spirit upon all people and bestow upon them eternal life. Unlock the gates of true understanding and let the light of faith shine resplendent. Gather all people beneath the shadow of Thy bounty and cause them to unite in harmony, so that they may become as the rays of one sun, as the waves of one ocean, and as the fruit of one tree. May they drink from the same fountain. May they be refreshed by the same breeze. May they receive illumination from the same source of light. Thou art the Giver, the Merciful, the Omnipotent.