December
11, 2011
Question:
Can ordinary folks experience a state of grace?
Answer: “
Unasked, I have showered upon thee My grace. Unpetitioned, I have
fulfilled thy wish. In spite of thy undeserving, I have singled thee
out for My richest, My incalculable favors... O My servants! Be ablaze
as the fire, that ye may burn away the veils of heedlessness and set
aglow, through the quickening energies of the love of God, the chilled
and wayward heart ”
(Gleanings from the
Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 322).
By
this definition, a state of grace is bestowed freely by God, without
the recipient’s deserving the favour. Existence itself is the greatest
form of grace, if one is grateful for the gift. If we begrudge being
born, then life becomes an existential burden, and death becomes a
welcome prospect. But if we are thankful for the opportunity of being
born to know and to love God, to serve Him by serving
humanity, and by
fulfilling His purpose in our lives, then we are living in a state of
grace. This applies to ordinary and extraordinary folks alike.
“God
is no respecter of persons.” So declared St. Peter (Acts 10: 34) and
St. Paul (Rom. 2:11). Regarding obedience to the divine laws and
standards, the world’s privileged few do not enjoy any special status
or exemptions. The same principle may be said of God’s special favours
and graces. They apply to all alike. I suspect that “ordinary folks”
are the recipients of a state of grace more than we suspect. The
challenge is to become aware of these favours and graces.
If
the question implies that an individual first must needs be holy in
order to qualify to receive a state of grace, I would answer a cautious
no. Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration at the head of this answer precludes that
notion. This does not mean, however, that we should take God’s bounties
for granted. God’s good graces-- faith, knowledge, love,
justice,
mercy, etc.--require positive demonstration in social action: “I bear
witness, O friends! that the favor is complete, the argument fulfilled,
the proof manifest and the evidence established. Let it now be seen
what your endeavors in the path of detachment will reveal”
(Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words, Persian, #82). -
Jack
McLean
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