Gretchen Bleiler, an American former professional halfpipe snowboarder once remarked: “I learned a few years ago that balance is the key to a happy and successful life, and a huge part of achieving that balance is to instil rituals into your everyday life - a nutritious balanced diet, daily exercise, time for yourself through meditation, reading, journaling, yoga, daily reflection, and setting goals.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15 confirms: “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.”
Rituals have been defined as a series of actions or type of behaviour regularly and invariably followed by someone. They include a host of possibilities that can cover many actions performed from the time of waking until the time of going to sleep at the end of the day.
Some people have strict rituals that they prefer to adhere to on a daily basis. These may include walking the dog, jogging to maintain a healthy heart, going to work, watching television etc. etc. Patrisse Cullors, an American activist, artist and writer once remarked: “My morning rituals are typical. I wake up yearning for a few extra moments of rest. I express gratitude to a higher power for the breath in my body and the blessings in my life. I shower. I dress. I eat breakfast. I exchange laughter and words with my beloveds, embracing each other as we say our daily goodbyes.”1 Corinthians 9:25-27 reminds us: “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
Rituals have been in existence for thousands of years. These stem back to pre-Jesus Christ times and include such actions as a sacrifice. In Genesis 22, God instructs Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, on Moriah. This was basically a test of obedience and compliance. Abraham performs the deed without question, but is interrupted by a messenger from God during the process and is permitted to sacrifice a ram instead. Sacrifice is regarded as an indication of devotion to God. Matthew 6:33 confirms: The Lord commanded, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.”
Sacrificial rituals are considered by many to adhere to the wishes of God, but this may not necessarily be so. God is a God of love, God is one of justice and compassion. Needless slaughter of an innocent human life is not considered Godly. In the past, some sects had a misguided belief that if a deceased dignitary was buried along with a selected slave, then the journey into the next life would be more likely to become fruitful. 1 Samuel 15:22 reminds us: And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.”
Many church services contain specific rituals, dependent on the denomination and type of service. In the Church of England, the transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ in a service of Holy Communion, is an important tradition that follows the ritual commemoration of the last supper. Confession and absolution are other important factors, as are the creed and intercessions, which should include the Lord’s prayer.
Wisdom is considered a blessing. Wikipedia defines “The Wisdom Tradition” as a synonym for Perennialism which provides a conceptual framework for development of the inner self, this may include living a spiritual life and the realisation of union with God.
A story is told of a family who lived in Somerset. The couple had been happily married for twelve years. The husband was an accountant and the wife, a school teacher. Five years after their wedding, they were blessed with the birth of identical twin daughters. The two girls were full of fun, loved life and always dressed in indistinguishable clothing as they wanted everyone to be aware that they were twins that loved each other and could not be separated. They were so alike that even the parents often found it difficult to tell them apart. The two girls often teased their doting parents by pretending to be the other. No malice was ever intended, as the girls knew that both parents had a good sense of humour. This act just created simple balanced fun in their lives, although it was sometimes regarded as not only confusing but somewhat frustrating for the parents.
The parents had a strong Christian faith. They would sit together with the girls in the early evening, pray together and debate selected elements of the teachings in the Bible. The parents also encouraged their daughters to attend Sunday School at the local church every week. From the nightly discussions with their parents, the girls gained much apperception and knowledge on biblical matters.
Each Sunday morning, they would perform the same ritual of bathing and choosing identical Sunday best clothing to attend the church. A young Christian lady in her early twenties was the leader of the group and always believed in discussing interesting situations from the Bible to teach and ascertain opinions from those in her class.
On one particular Sunday, the teacher decided to discuss the story of Solomon, an ancient king of Israel. When she had finished, she asked everyone in the class the same question: “Was King Solomon a wise person or just fortunate in his decisions?” Most of the class universally agreed and answered: “Wise.” However, because of their in-depth knowledge, the twins decided to disagree and both answered: “Fortunate.” This reaction surprised the young teacher greatly and she asked: “Why do you say that?”
The first twin answered: “Well miss, we know that wisdom comes from God, Proverbs 2:5-6 tells us: “Then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” But how do we know for sure that every decision that Solomon made was the wisdom of God?”
This stunned the teacher and so she turned to her sister and asked the same question. Her sister replied: “Although Solomon is considered by many to be wise and good, as Solomon grew older, we know that he was led astray by his many wives in favour of other gods. His heart was not totally with the true God.” 1 Kings 11:4 confirms: “As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.” At that point, the teacher became perplexed and speechless. She then decided to end the session.
Good rituals and traditions are important in our daily lives as they can allow us to connect to our inner selves which can be beneficial in our relationship with God. They can help to find answers to questions and doubts that we may have about life. However, we have to keep an open mind if they are to be helpful to us. Not all rituals are good for us or our relationship with God. If we re-evaluate them from time to time, they may become of even greater worth in the long term. Romans 14:1-5 reminds us: "As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind."
Amen.
