Gustav Mahler, a Bohemia-born composer once remarked: “Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.” Mark 7:8-9 reminds us: “You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!”
Tradition is defined as the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way. It may include certain doctrines that are believed to have divine authority, albeit they are not specifically recorded in the scriptures. Family traditions can often be of a good, protective or helpful nature. However, in certain global cultures, traditions that may be considered socially acceptable, are in fact often deemed as barbaric by others. These may include enforced slavery, forced marriages, child labor, etc; which sadly, remain in existence, even in today’s society.
Fire is considered an extremely important tool, or asset when encapsulated in a safe and controlled environment. Fire may represent both positive and negative aspects of life. A flame in the heart can be regarded as a passion for life. A fire can replace the coldness in the air with its warmth, it can cook or heat food to make it edible, it may provide light in the depth of darkness, and is extremely useful in industry for many liquefying purposes. However, fire always requires extreme caution and respect, as it can also be exceedingly dangerous and a risk to life. Conversely, when God’s fire is ignited, it can furnish safety. Acts 28:1-26 explains part of the Apostle Paul’s journey to Rome whilst under arrest and the protection provided by God to ensure his safe arrival. It states: “After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed. After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead. Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium.
And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.
And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him. After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar - though I had no charge to bring against my nation.
For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening, he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: “‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
The original perception of some older family traditions can sometimes be misinterpreted. They may have had a meaningful intention at inception, but throughout the ensuing years, waned in purpose or effect. The original fire that seemed so important in life may have dampened or extinguished. For some, they become arduous, totally unnecessary or even create a burden that produces a wish that it is, hopefully, best forgotten. William Shatner, a Canadian actor who starred in the sixties television series “Star Trek” encroached on the captivating words in the title sequence: “Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before!” However, in reality, once remarked: “My kids say if there's any family dinner that doesn't result in somebody crying, it's not a good dinner. They cry because it helps relieve them of a guilt or some onerous emotional burden. It's like a family tradition.”
Fire, like death, can cause pain. Perhaps one of the most frequently used Psalms appertaining to the furnace of family values, the goodness of God that prevails during adversity, which is traditionally sung or said at a funeral to provide comfort and reassurance is Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Amen.
