Luciana's Parents are Fasting

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The sun is still shining as Luciana sits at the dining room table, eating supper. She’s not alone, but she’s the only one eating. Mom and Dad are seated at the table with her, but they don’t have food in front of them. Instead, they have a book, from which they are reading quotes from the Writings of the Bahá’í Faith. They’re acting giggly and making a lot of mistakes reading.

Normally, Luciana and her parents talk about their day at dinnertime. But during the Fast, they also read the Writings and reflect together about the meaning of the Fast.

Luciana knows that her parents aren’t eating because they are fasting, and she understands that somehow, fasting is very good for her parents (and for her, too).

She also understands that her parents are a little giggly because they are very hungry. But it’s still a little confusing and, well, hard, having to eat all by herself. It’s even more difficult because she knows her parents are so hungry, and it feels almost a little mean to eat in front of them.

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“Are you OK, Luciana?” Mom asks. “You’re really quiet.”

“It’s a little hard to eat alone,” admits Luciana.

“I can imagine,” Dad says, covering her hand with his, “It’s only for the period of the Fast, though; one Bahá’í month, so only 19 days.”

Luciana nods, picking at her food. “I know. I just… Why can’t I fast with you guys?”

“Bahá’u’lláh tells us that Bahá’ís should start fasting at the age of 15, which He calls the age of spiritual maturity,” Mom says. “I think it’s partly because we grow so much before 15, and restricting eating might have a negative effect on physical growth.”

“And being hungry is hard,” Dad says. “I don’t think it’s fair to ask kids to practice patience while hungry before they are spiritually mature.”

“But being hungry is not just hard for children,” Luciana says. “It’s also hard for adults. Why would God ask you to do something so hard?”

“You’re right, fasting is hard,” Mom says, “but there are many benefits and many lessons to be learned. Think about it this way: God is like our parent, right?”

Luciana nods.

“How many times have I told you to do something really hard, and only afterwards did you understand how it kept you safe and sound?”

“Many times,” Luciana says.

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“I also think it’s good to practice restraint,” adds Dad. “Think about the times we suggest you don’t serve yourself a third serving of a food you love. It’s hard to say no! But what would happen if you ate more?”

“My stomach would hurt,” Luciana says, sliding some beans onto her fork.

“Exactly,” Dad agrees. “When we fast, we learn to say no to things we really want, which can help keep us sound.”

“And did you know that science has shown fasting is good for us?” Mom says.

Luciana is surprised. “Really?”

“Absolutely,” Dad says. “I’m not surprised, though; Shoghi Effendi did say that Bahá’u’lláh would never have instituted the Fast if it was detrimental to our health.”

Mom nods. “Learning to control our hunger by not thinking about it and purposefully not eating helps us in our spiritual lives. I am focused on the most important things in life because of the control I practiced during the Fast. ” Luciana has finally taken a big bite, but still manages to ask: “How?” “I think practicing restraint teaches us to purposefully put spiritual activities first even if it means not doing other activities we love,” Mom says. “Like when we go to children’s class when so many of our friends go swimming.”

“I thought that was hard just for me!” Luciana exclaims.

“Oh honey, it’s also hard for your Dad and I. We love swimming! And we know how much you love it, too. But we also know that children’s classes are important, just as important as study circles for adults.”

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End of this sample.

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