Upon the Conduct of Each Depends the Fate of All!

Are we spiders or lions?

There is an Ethiopian Proverb that says, “When spiders unite, they can tie down a lion.” Metaphorically speaking, the lion in today’s story is hate, and we as individuals are the spiders. In other words, when we come together united in the principle of peace and “loving thy neighbor” then we have the ability to tie down the kings of evil. Those kings being, prejudice and baseless hate.

It is easy to think, hope and pray that someone else will slay the lion, however we must “remember upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all.” (Alexander the Great) Thereby, we must understand that none of us can escape being a spider in this fight against the deadly lion of hate. The path, whereby each of us can take action is individual and unique to our own circumstances, however nobody should be sitting out this existential battle. For, “so powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.” (Baha’U’Llah-Founder of the Baha’i Faith)

Consequently, it is time that each of us rededicate ourselves to illuminating our communities. For as we know, “a single candle can both defy and define the darkness.” (Anne Frank) Let us defy the darkness of trouble and travail with the light of friendship and mutual support. Thus, defining ourselves by standing in the light of God and bringing the radiance of His light to the battle against the darkness of bigotry. This can only be done when we act in the spirit of two central values. Those values being, Shalom/Peace /acting peacefully and with honor towards each other.