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3. Universal Participation
It is important that every Bahda’i participate in the life of the Baha’i community. The work of building God’s Kingdom on earth will go much faster if each does his part. The Baha’i community is like a body. Each muscle and bone has a job to do. If any muscle is crippled, the whole body is affected. It cannot perform as well as it could if all the muscles were working together. The Universal House of Justice reminds us of ‘Abdu’|-Baha’s wish that Baha’is ‘‘work together, be as one soul in one body, and in so doing become a true, organic, healthy body animated and illumined by the spirit.’’®
Every Baha'i should perform certain tasks to help the Faith grow. Every believer must teach. Since there are no paid ininis- ters in the Bahda’i Faith, every Baha’i must spread the message of Baha’u’llah. Baha’is have wonderful news to share with all people. Bahda’u’llah, the Promised One of all Ages, has come. His Teachings are the remedy for a sick world. It is the duty of every Baha'i to share this Message with friends and strangers. Each person can teach in his own way. Some people teach best when they are talking with one person at a time or with a small group of friends. Others speak well to large groups and can give talks at public meetings. Each believer also teaches by the way he lives the Baha’i life. Other people watch to see how the Bahai teachings affect one’s behavior. Teaching the Faith is one of the most important parts of Baha’i life. Baha’u’llah has
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instructed us: ‘‘Teach ye the Cause of God, O people of Baha, for God hath prescribed unto every one the duty of proclaiming His Message, and regardeth it as the most meritorious of all deeds.’’®
Baha'is must also deepen their understanding of their Faith. The Word of God is so powerful and so deep that its full meaning cannot be grasped quickly. One must study and medi- tate upon it. As one reads the words of Baha'u'llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha again and again, he begins to have a clearer understanding of what these Writings mean. Learning more about the Faith helps one live a better Baha’i life. ‘‘Jmmerse yourselves in the ocean of My words,’’ Bahdu’llah writes, “that ye may unravel its secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths.’’'°
Every Bahda’i must pray. Prayer is the food of the soul. Without it the soul is weakened, and man cannot commune with God. In prayer one turns to God and receives strength to continue His work.
In addition to praying, each believer must strive to live the life of a true Baha’. All Bahda’is have spiritual battles to fight and
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weaknesses to overcome. Through prayer and meditation on the life of ‘Abdu’1-Baha, the Perfect Exemplar, one can gradually correct his faults. ‘Abdu’l-Baha has written: ‘‘The most vital duty, in this day, is to purify your characters, to correct your manners, and improve your conduct.’’ 1"
Every Baha’i must give to the Fund. Shoghi Effendi called the Fund the lifeblood of the Cause and said “‘It is the sacred obligation of every conscientious and faithful servant of Baha'u'llah who desires to see His Cause advance, to contribute freely and generously for the increase of that Fund.’’!” A body needs a steady flow of blood to grow and develop properly. Otherwise, it will remain weak and tired and may die. Regular contributions to the Fund assure the health and growth of the Cause of God.
Supporting the Fund is a privilege which only those who have recognized Baha’u’lla4h can enjoy; non-Baha’is may not contribute. Each Baha’i should contribute regularly, perhaps every Baha’i month. The amount given is confidential. It is a matter between the individual and God. A contribution is espe- cially precious when sacrifice is involved. One way of showing one’s love for Baha’u’Ilah is to sacrifice something important in order to give to the Fund.
The Universal House of Justice has said that not all Baha’ is can give public talks or serve on Spiritual Assemblies. But all can participate in Baha’i community life by teaching, deepen- ing, fighting their own spiritual battles, praying, and giving to the Fund.
