In its message to the Baha’is of the world at Ridvan 2011, the Universal House of Justice detailed the nature and character of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s interactions with people of all stripes in His travels through Egypt and the West a century ago.

The Supreme Institution explained its great hope “that frequent recollection, during this centennial period, of the Master’s matchless record will inspire and fortify His sincere admirers.”

It also exhorted Baha’is to set “His example before your eyes and fix your gaze upon it; let it be your instinctive guide in your pursuit of the aim of the Plan.”

The themes for 2012′s issues of The American Baha’i have echoed that call.

Leading to this, the year’s final theme, “Seeking, recognizing and honoring receptivity in all its forms.”

A theme based on a simple statement at the conclusion of the House of Justice’s awe-inspiring list of the Master’s attributes: “No one was turned away.”

And manifested in these stories of action, reflection, consultation and study generating further, even more effective, action.

Stories focused on how we identify receptive neighborhoods and initiate and sustain activities in them, and on how we engage individuals with whom we have a relationship and raise those relationships to the level of their involvement alongside us in building community:

• Core activities find a home in Long Island shelter
• Baha’i gathering redefines devotion for writer
• Learning how to serve others is the focus of responding to seekers
• Elder has much to impart from her experiences and faith
• Finding communion with other faiths – including within family
• Action isn’t an end, it’s the start of a process
• Affluent neighborhood is rich environment for learning
• Steady hands lead new believers onto firm path