Daily Frameworks for 06 March 2024

‘Idál, 06 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), 180 B.E

Arising to Serve

Quote for Reflection:

This process of enrichment is already much advanced: witness, for instance, how gatherings for worship have been integrated into the core of community life. Devotional meetings are occasions where any soul may enter, inhale the heavenly fragrances, experience the sweetness of prayer, meditate upon the Creative Word, be transported on the wings of the spirit, and commune with the one Beloved. Feelings of fellowship and common cause are generated, particularly in the spiritually heightened conversations that naturally occur at such times and through which the “city of the human heart” ¹ may be opened. By convening a gathering for worship at which adults and children of any background are welcome, the spirit of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is evoked in any locality. The enhancement of the devotional character of a community also has an effect on the Nineteen Day Feast and can be felt at other times when the friends come together. — Universal House of Justice ²

Question for Consideration:

What is the purpose of the devotional part of the Feast? ³

Google Gemini Response:

Based on the quote from the Universal House of Justice, the devotional part of the Nineteen Day Feast serves several vitalizing purposes within the Bahá’í community:

Spiritual Upliftment and Nourishment

• Inhaling heavenly fragrances: This metaphorical expression refers to experiencing the spiritual benefits and inspiration present in the gathering.
• Sweetness of prayer: Participating in prayer together fosters a sense of connection with the divine and inner peace.
• Meditating on the Creative Word: This encourages reflection on the scriptures and teachings of the Bahá’í faith, deepening understanding and inspiration.
• Transported on the wings of the spirit: This highlights the transformative potential of the devotional experience, uplifting participants beyond their everyday worries and concerns.
  

Fostering Fellowship and Unity

• Communion with the one Beloved: This refers to a shared connection with the divine and each other, promoting unity and belonging within the community.
• Feelings of fellowship and common cause: The devotional experience generates feelings of connection and shared purpose among participants.
• Spiritually heightened conversations: These conversations, fueled by the devotional experience, can foster deeper understanding, connection, and support among friends.
• Opening the “city of the human heart”: This metaphorical expression emphasizes the potential of the devotional experience to open hearts to compassion, understanding, and love for others.
  

Evolving the Form and Spirit

• Evoking the spirit of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár: The Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is a Bahá’í House of Worship dedicated to prayer, meditation, and community gatherings. The devotional aspect of the Feast aims to create a similar atmosphere of prayer and spiritual connection in a local setting.
• Enhancement of the devotional character: By focusing on the devotional aspect, the Feast can become a more powerful tool for spiritual growth and unity within the community.
  

Overall, the devotional part of the Nineteen Day Feast plays a crucial role in creating a space for spiritual growth, fostering a sense of community, and deepening one’s connection with the divine. It is a cornerstone for individual and collective spiritual development within the Bahá’í Faith.

Microsoft Copilot Response:

The devotional portion of the Nineteen Day Feast serves several essential purposes within the Bahá’í community:

• Spiritual Upliftment: It is a means to uplift the spiritual character of the community members. By engaging in prayers and reflecting on excerpts from the Bahá’í writings, individuals are encouraged to connect with their inner selves and the divine. This spiritual focus prepares hearts and minds for deeper engagement.
• Creating a Spiritual Atmosphere: The devotional portion aims to create a spiritual atmosphere during the Feast. As participants immerse themselves in sacred words and meditations, this elevated state of mind permeates their subsequent consultations and interactions. It sets the tone for meaningful discussions and collective decision-making.
• Fellowship and Communion: Devotional meetings provide an opportunity for fellowship and common cause. Souls from diverse backgrounds gather, inhale heavenly fragrances, and experience the sweetness of prayer. These spiritually heightened conversations naturally occur during devotional gatherings, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.
• Evoking the Spirit of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár: By convening worship gatherings where adults and children of any background are welcome, the spirit of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár (the Bahá’í House of Worship) is invoked in any locality. The Mashriqu’l-Adhkár symbolizes the spiritual heart of the community, and enhancing its devotional character contributes to its vibrancy.
  

In summary, the devotional part of the Feast nurtures individual spirituality, fosters fellowship, and infuses a sense of sacred purpose into the community’s collective endeavors²³⁴.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/5/2024

• Nineteen Day Feast | Wikipedia
• Nineteen Day Feast | Bahaipedia
• Nineteen Day Feast | Baha’i Library Online
• Lights of Guidance/Programme for the Nineteen Day Feast | Baha’i Works

1. “Know thou that We have annulled the rule of the sword, as an aid to Our Cause, and substituted for it the power born of the utterance of men. Thus have We irrevocably decreed, by virtue of Our grace. Say: O people! Sow not the seeds of discord among men, and refrain from contending with your neighbor, for your Lord hath committed the world and the cities thereof to the care of the kings of the earth, and made them the emblems of His own power, by virtue of the sovereignty He hath chosen to bestow upon them. He hath refused to reserve for Himself any share whatever of this world’s dominion. To this He Who is Himself the Eternal Truth will testify. The things He hath reserved for Himself are the cities of men’s hearts, that He may cleanse them from all earthly defilements, and enable them to draw nigh unto the hallowed Spot which the hands of the infidel can never profane. Open, O people, the city of the human heart with the key of your utterance. Thus have We, according to a preordained measure, prescribed unto you your duty.”
   Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed March 5, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/7#715034234. ↩
2. Universal House of Justice. “29 December 2015 – To the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed March 5, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20151229001/1#076110845.
   
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. ↩