Daily Frameworks for 05 March 2024

Fidál, 05 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), 180 B.E

Arising to Serve

Quote for Reflection:

The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh encompasses all units of human society; integrates the spiritual, administrative and social processes of life; and canalizes human expression in its varied forms towards the construction of a new civilization. The Nineteen Day Feast embraces all these aspects at the very base of society. Functioning in the village, the town, the city, it is an institution of which all the people of Bahá are members. It is intended to promote unity, ensure progress, and foster joy.

“If this feast be held in the proper fashion,” ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá states, “the friends will, once in nineteen days, find themselves spiritually restored, and endued with a power that is not of this world.” ¹ To ensure this glorious outcome the concept of the Feast must be adequately understood by all the friends. The Feast is known to have three distinct but related parts: the devotional, the administrative, and the social. The first entails the recitation of prayers and reading from the Holy Texts. The second is a general meeting where the Local Spiritual Assembly reports its activities, plans and problems to the community, shares news and messages from the World Center and the National Assembly, and receives the thoughts and recommendations of the friends through a process of consultation. The third involves the partaking of refreshments and engaging in other activities meant to foster fellowship in a culturally determined diversity of forms which do not violate principles of the Faith or the essential character of the Feast. — Universal House of Justice ²

Question for Consideration:

What are the three parts of the Nineteen Day Feast? ³

Google Gemini Response:

As quoted from the Universal House of Justice, the Nineteen Day Feast in the Bahá’í community consists of three distinct but interrelated parts:

Devotional

This part focuses on the spiritual nourishment and upliftment of the participants. It typically involves:

• Recitation of prayers: This may involve prayers from the Bahá’í writings or other religious traditions.
• Readings from the Holy Texts: This includes selections from the Bahá’í scriptures, such as the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as well as other religious texts.
• Reflection and meditation: This allows individuals to ponder the meaning of the readings and prayers and connect them to their personal lives.
  

Administrative

This part focuses on the administrative and practical aspects of the Bahá’í community. It typically involves:

• Reports from the Local Spiritual Assembly (LSA): The LSA, the elected governing body of the Bahá’í community at the local level, reports on its activities, plans, and difficulties. This allows the community to stay informed and involved in decision-making processes.
• Sharing news and messages: The LSA shares news and messages from the National Spiritual Assembly (NSA) and the Universal House of Justice, the international governing body of the Bahá’í Faith. This keeps the community connected to the broader Bahá’í community.
• Consultation: The participants discuss and offer their thoughts and recommendations concerning the community’s affairs. This fosters a sense of collective ownership and engagement.
  

Social

This part focuses on fostering fellowship and strengthening social bonds within the community. It typically involves:

• Partaking of refreshments: This can be a simple gathering with snacks and beverages or a more elaborate meal, depending on the specific circumstances and cultural context.
• Engaging in other activities: This can include socializing, playing games, engaging in artistic endeavors, or participating in other activities that promote social interaction and positive interaction within the community.
  

It’s important to note that these are not rigid categories, and the format of the Feast may vary depending on the circumstances and local customs. However, the core purpose of the Feast remains consistent – to foster spiritual growth, administrative well-being, and social cohesion within the Bahá’í community.

Microsoft Copilot Response:

The Nineteen Day Feast, a central institution in the Bahá’í Faith, comprises three distinct but related parts:

Devotional: During this segment, prayers are recited, and readings from the Holy Texts occur.

Administrative: In the administrative portion, the Local Spiritual Assembly reports its activities, plans, and challenges to the community. News and messages from the World Center and the National Assembly are also shared. The friends participate in a consultation process, offering their thoughts and recommendations.

Social: The third part involves fellowship and social interaction. Participants partake of refreshments and engage in various culturally determined activities that foster unity and joy. These activities must align with the principles of the Faith and the essential character of the Feast. 🌟🙏🍵

1. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 91. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/5#451571937. ↩
2. Universal House of Justice. “27 August 1989 – To the Followers of Bahá’u’lláh.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed March 4, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19890827_001/1#947234456. ↩
3. Ruhi Institute. Arising to Serve. 2.1.1.PE September 2020. Vol. Book 2. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2020, 63. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#AS. ↩