Spiritual Springtime

Do ye know in what cycle ye are created and in what age ye exist?
This is the age of the Blessed Perfection
and this is the time of the Greatest Name!
This is the century of the Manifestation,
the age of the Sun of the Horizons
and the beautiful springtime of His Holiness the Eternal One!

The earth is in motion and growth;
the mountains, hills and prairies are green and pleasant;
the bounty is overflowing;
the mercy universal;
the rain is descending from the cloud of mercy;
the brilliant Sun is shining;
the full moon is ornamenting the horizon of ether;
the great ocean-tide is flooding every little stream;
the gifts are successive;
the favours consecutive;
and the refreshing breeze is blowing,
wafting the fragrant perfume of the blossoms.
Boundless treasure is in the hand of the King of Kings!
Lift the hem of thy garment in order to receive it.

If we are not happy and joyous at this season,
for what other season shall we wait
and for what other time shall we look?
This is the time for growing;
the season for joyous gathering!
Take the cup of the Testament in thy hand;
leap and dance with ecstasy
in the triumphal procession of the Covenant!
Lay your confidence in the everlasting bounty,
turn to the presence of the generous God;
ask assistance from the Kingdom. . .;
seek confirmation from the Supreme World;
turn thy vision to the horizon of eternal wealth;
and pray for help from the Source of Mercy!

Soon the whole world, as in springtime, will change its garb.
The turning and falling of the autumn leaves is past;
the bleakness of the winter time is over.
The new year hath appeared and the spiritual springtime is at hand.
The black earth is becoming a verdant garden;
the deserts and mountains are teeming with red flowers;
from the borders of the wilderness the tall grasses are standing
like advance guards before the cypress and jessamine trees;
while the birds are singing among the rose branches
like the angels in the highest heavens,
announcing the glad-tidings of the approach of that spiritual spring,
and the sweet music of their voices
is causing the real essence of all things to move and quiver.

‘Abdu'l Bahá, Bahá’í World Faith p 351