3. Set-up

Own thoughts, naturally carry no authority, nothing more than personal insights informed by a limited understanding of the Writings or, for that matter, the guidance of the Universal House of Justice.

If I could use just one quote that encompasses what I hope to convey this evening--an admonition which personifies, it seems to me, a major purpose of what we are striving to bring to the world both, individually and collectively, what we may need to increasing cling to as the Faith is faced by opposition and evident in its Crdael and what the Golden Age, will surely hold in store for humanity. . .and which even now needs to characterize the spaces in which we serve, reflect and learn together beginning from early infancy:

Joy gives us wings! In times of joy our strength is more vital, our intellect keener, and our understanding less clouded. We seem better able to cope with the world and to find our sphere of usefulness. But when sadness visits us we become weak, our strength leaves us, our comprehension is dim and our intelligence veiled. The actualities of life seem to elude our grasp,  the eyes of our spirits fail to discover the sacred mysteries, and we become even as dead beings.

The last part of this evenings presentation - will bring great joy even though it it is derived from the most unimaginable, incomprehensible despair . . .the suffering of the Manifestation of God.

In fact, much joy in life is born from the depths of human despair . . . just a faint inkling, perhaps, of what our souls, at least in potentiality, will experience in the next world.

In order for all of us, with me as an oblivious exception, to experience despair - that is in order to more fully relate to the joy that follows in the last half hour (of this 4 hour presentation . . . which will begin after these introductory remarks - I find it necessary, I’m pleased to say, to submit you to the most aggregious thing I could think of . . .several long and arduous minutes of impromptu, heavily scripted, uncalled for, attempted humour; some of which is at the expense of loved ones in the audience; you are all loved ones . . . well almost . . . I can see Mr Razavi breathing a big sigh of relief.

Now that’s the sort of despair I’m looking for but please don’t despair at the wrong moments.