• Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday, a topic is printed, inviting a response. Due to space limitations, submissions are
• Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday, a topic is printed, inviting a response. Due to space limitations, submissions are edited. Thoughts or suggestions for future topics are always welcome. Next week’s subject is on patriotism. The topic at the end of the column is for the following week.
Baha‘is of Kaua‘i
God is omnipotent and independent of His creation. But how can the created express love for a Creator? How can we show thankfulness for our very existence?
Baha’is believe that we can demonstrate our thankfulness to God through our loving relationship with each other. It is not as important that we say that we love God as much as we show this love through our good deeds.
The Baha’i writings describe this succinctly in the following quote.
“To express his gratitude for the favors of God man must show forth praiseworthy actions. In response to these bestowals he must render good deeds, be self-sacrificing, loving the servants of God, forfeiting even life for them, showing kindness to all the creatures … Whatsoever he wishes to do must be in harmony with the good pleasure of God. He must observe and see what is the will of God and act accordingly. There can be no doubt that such commendable deeds are thankfulness for the favors of God.”
Kahu Dr. James Fung
Lihu‘e Christian Church
At the heart of the Christian faith is a paradoxical prescription for a life of fullness and deep inner peace and joy. It’s this: We’re more likely to find it when we stop looking for it. It is when we forget about pleasing ourselves and instead lose ourselves in loving acts directed at others that we experience a deep satisfaction as an unsought by-product of altruism.
Good works benefit those for whom it is directed. But perhaps the greatest beneficiaries are those who improve the lives of other persons expecting nothing in return. They end up enriching their inner soul. Jesus taught that there is more happiness that comes from giving of ourselves to others than from receiving. (Acts 20:35)
It is one of the profound truths of life — compassion has its own reward. Loving behaviors, not merely loving sentiments transform hearts. It’s been said that you can’t scatter blessings without having some of it blown back and falling upon you.
God doesn’t want us to be more religious. God wants us to live a life characterized by our doing what is just, loving kindness, walking humbly with God, lending a hand, sharing with those who have not, advocating with compassion for the powerless, welcoming the stranger, caring for the sick, bringing hope to the despairing.
We should never tire or become weary of doing good. Sure our good works won’t solve all of the problems of the world, but it will mean everything to the one solitary person who has been helped. And Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these, you do it to me.” (Matthew 25: 40)
Topic for 2
weeks from today
• Will you speak to us on
fatherhood?
• Spiritual leaders are invited to e-mail responses of three to five paragraphs to pwoolway@kauaipubco.com
• Deadline each week is
Tuesday, by 5 p.m.
