45- Two Kids Consecrating Fasting

 

St-Takla.org Image: Two girls or young women in awe. صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: فتاتان أو امرأتان في حالة خشوع.

On visiting the families in Hollywood, California in1971, a pious lady, who had two young daughters, asked me, “Father, what do you think of swimming in our private swimming pool during the fasting?”

“Why do you ask?”

“My daughters refused to swim today in the pool and when I asked them they said, “How can we swim while fasting!”

“Fasting doesn’t forbid swimming”, I said.

“How can it be? Ask father””

This conversation between the mother and her young daughters reveals their simple pious concept along with a spiritual touch.

I do not want to get into a discussion of the possibility of swimming in a private pool during fasting. What truly draws my attention is the piety of two kids living with this spirit in the states. On the contrary, during the summer, many people ask, “In the summer resort, can we swim after communion? After how many hours can we swim?”

This issue requires neither harsh rules to be controlled nor an absolution to be given by a priest. It only requires a pious heart, heavenly thinking and a serious soul that seeks its continuous spiritual edification.

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: طفلتان تقدسان صومًا!

Grant me O Lord a pious heart,

So that I would not seek the wide path but the narrow one.

My soul rejoices as it accompanies You.

I would not seek luxury and spoiling.

I would rather be strict and serious.

With joy and happiness, I shall live consecrated for You.

I Read It Twenty Times

Short Stories (Stories for the Youth) Books by Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty

Gift or Insult