Baba coughed, remarking, "I have a sore throat [Jane Haynes' heart leapt with trepidation!], but I am happy because it was transferred to me through love."
Baba had given a discourse on "Compassion" from the material, spiritual and divine points of view, dictated for Irene Conybeare's book In Quest of Truth . It was read out.
Baba then commented:
The explanations here are perfect, provided one understands how the law of karma works. In India, I said to the mandali, "I am now helpless physically. I am mentally helpless and spiritually helpless."
The mandali could not understand how the Avatar of the Age could become helpless spiritually. Last night, Eruch asked me: "How is it possible for God to become spiritually helpless?" Now I repeat my explanation to him.
I am conscious of all-power and I am conscious of all-knowing. I know everything. I am conscious that I can do anything — everything. But at this moment, now, I do not want to do anything. If I use my power, the purpose of my suffering for the universe will not be served.
Jesus was all-powerful, all-knowing. He knew he had to be crucified and could have used his power to avoid it, but he did not want to use it. He made himself so helpless as to cry out on the cross: "My God, even You have forsaken me!" Why? He could use his power, but he did not want to use it. At present, I have spiritual helplessness.
"Harry, is it clear to you?"
Kenmore nodded.
"If it is clear to you, it is clear to all."
Baba then asked Kenmore to give an explanation. Baba smiled while he was talking.
Then he asked Charles Purdom the same question, who said, "Jesus and Baba have no karma; they chose to be men." Baba liked his answer, and continued:
At present, thousands gather every day at the tomb of Sai Baba. [Shirdi] is a place of pilgrimage so important to people that they come every day to his shrine. This has happened in the last few years. They run special trains there.
Hafiz quotes a Perfect Master as saying: "I killed my friend, and nourished my foe. Even God has no authority to ask why the Perfect Master does this or says that." To explain this, I would have to prolong my stay for several more days! It has deep meaning. When you suffer, don't worry. Say, "It is Baba's grace." Then I am pleased with your love.