Today, the world stands ready to receive Into its midst the Teacher, the Avatar, the Forerunner of the New Age. On all sides, a high expectancy is becoming manifest, on every hand, people are becoming aware, however dimly, that the destined hour has struck. Cleavages abound, but more and more, the nations are realising their interdependence and the need for concerted action in solving their problems. Global consciousness is growing, slowly but surely, and humanity today stands in better readiness for the Christ's return than ever before in its history.

Many are the ways in which He is awaited today. Many are the hopes He is expected to fulfil. Manifold are the tasks that await His wise concern and dutiful care. The Christ, Maitreya, is poised to assume the role of Teacher to a world longing for Truth. Lost in the labyrinth, mankind struggles to free itself from the shackles of ignorance and greed, and seeks a saner, simpler life in which to work out its destiny. Into this turmoil has come the Christ, answering man's call for succour. How will He proceed? What will be His first tasks as He confronts the world's problems and begins His mission?

Primary concern

The solution to the problem of hunger and starvation in the midst of plenty will be His primary concern. To focus world opinion on the need to end this blasphemy will be His aim, giving voice therefore to the aspirations of millions for a better, more just world. Thereafter, His plans concern the stabilization of the world's political imbalances; the restructuring of the economic order along more rational lines.

With all of this He must contend, showing men the way, step by step, to restructure their lives. Under His inspiration and guidance humanity will transform itself and its structures, opening the way, therefore, for a deeper understanding and expression of that Reality of which it is a part.

The immediate task is the galvanising of world public opinion. Otherwise, His call for justice would go unimplemented. When the alternatives before the race -for peace through sharing; or war and self-destruction are clearly understood, millions will align themselves with the advocacy of the Christ, and call for an end to injustice, -misery and war. The task before the Christ will be so to guide this mounting cry for freedom, sharing and peace that the minimum cleavage results.

Transition

Half the world's population now live in poverty; enormous gaps exist between the rich and poor. Inherent in the tensions thus engendered is great danger for mankind. The Christ will point the way forward, reducing step by step these inequalities and tensions, so ensuring a relatively tranquil transition to the new age. All has been carefully planned beforehand; nothing has been left to chance; but humanity itself will determine the speed of implementation of the needed changes, for mankind's free will may never be infringed.

Those who read these words have, now, the choice: to aid the Christ in His work and help to awaken mankind to the needs of the time, thus serving the race in a most potent fashion, or to await events in passive inaction, so rejecting an opportunity for growth seldom given to any generation.

From the April  1982 issue of Share International