“O thou shining ray!...”
'Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas, (1909) · Read original
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When in Bahá'í history
O thou shining ray!
Verily, the ray, being transmitted from the etheric sphere, rends the space and reaches the surface of the earth and dispels the gloomy darkness. Verily, be thou one of the rays of the Sun of Truth and then thou wilt cause the darkness of error to disappear and wilt change its intense obscurity into a discovering light which will guide (the people) unto the Kingdom of God.
Source: 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas (1909). Public domain text from Project Gutenberg eBook #19312.
Discuss this story
For adults
- Where do you see truthfulness appearing — visibly or quietly — in this passage?
- How does this story complicate or deepen your understanding of tablets?
- Read the closing lines once more. What single phrase stays with you?
For teens
- Who is someone you know who lives out truthfulness the way this story describes?
- If you were going to tell a friend this story in two sentences, what would you say?
Reflection
- Sit quietly for a moment after reading. What does this story stir in you?
- Take one line from this story and let it stay with you today.
- What single image from this story will stay with you?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "“O thou shining ray!...”" drawn from?
What period of Bahá'í history does this story belong to?
Which historical figure is featured most prominently in this story?
Which virtue does this story most clearly illustrate?
Cite this story
'Abdu'l-Bahá. (1909). *Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas*. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/19312/pg19312-images.html
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