My grandparents worshipped at an old, high Episcopal Church.
Once a year or so, we’d be visiting and join them at their church. Now,
certainly not all Episcopal churches are the same, and my memories of events
fifty years old might certainly be skewed; but I remember really being confused
throughout the service. The congregation relied heavily upon the Anglican Book of Common Worship for written
prayers, responses, and songs. That’s fine, except that the service jumped
around back and forth through the book with seemingly no pattern. Everyone else
seemed to know where to go next, but I was always wondering…
I suspect that there was more direction going on than what I
was aware of. Perhaps something was written somewhere (an “order of worship?”)
or someone was leading, but what I really suspect was that the congregation’s
familiarity with the weekly rhythms of worship enabled them to know exactly
what was coming next. What was confusing to me was second nature to them, since
they had seen it over and over again.
One of the great benefits of having traditions is that we
know what to expect, and we can develop a comfort level with what is happening.
Family traditions help establish a pattern or rhythm. Picture how a common
family gathering, such as a holiday or birthday, goes. The traditions might be
elaborate or simple, but almost always, they guide our expectations of how we
will interact with one another. The traditions are incredibly meaningful,
stating in concrete, common experiences the intimacy which exists for a family.
Other customs have the same force—national traditions (e.g., national
holidays), business traditions (staff interactions, office practices), even
sporting events (singing the anthem, sideline events, etc.)—our common
familiarity helps make the experience more meaningful.
Of course, there are dangers to traditions as well. Some
traditions can become stifling. Some are outdated or no longer helpful. Some
can be simply bad for us. But one challenge that always confronts a tradition
is when it loses its meaning and simply becomes “what we do”. Anytime a
once-beneficial practice becomes “what we do” without meaning behind it, the
tradition is in danger of becoming “traditionalism”. While a tradition is an
action or practice which carries great meaning, doing an action or practice
simply “because” is the essence of “traditionalism”. For a vibrant Christian
faith, our traditions can be incredibly helpful; while an empty expression of “traditionalism”
will easily distract us from a meaningful relationship with our Lord.
Spiritually speaking, a good way of thinking of this is that
traditions are “the living faith of the dead”. Traditionalism, however, is “the
dead faith of the living”. Traditions connect us to our rich faith heritage.
Traditionalism is a lifeless expression of “how we always do it”.
This challenge—to develop a rhythm or pattern which anchors
us in our experiences, yet without losing track of the meaning or purpose
behind the practice—confronts us throughout our Christian experiences. Our
worship can easily slide from a beneficial interaction with tradition to a
dangerous traditionalism. Our daily Christian disciplines of reading the Bible
and praying can become rote and meaningless. Our service in God’s Kingdom can
shift from an expression of our deep gratitude to our Lord to an empty ritual.
How do we navigate such a course? How do we experience the
benefits of a faith anchored in good, meaningful experiences without losing
sight of their purpose? We do so by expressing again and again our need and
dependence upon our Lord. Relying on Him to invigorate our worship, our
devotion, and our service to Him, we will, God-willing, continue to practice
our faith in meaningful, intimate, and appropriate ways. All to His glory!
As you prepare for worship this week, read John 2:13-22.
1. What is the connection between the Passover and Jesus
going up to Jerusalem?
2. Why would there be money-changers and folks selling
animals in the Temple? What would be the reasoning behind something like this?
3. What is behind Jesus’ words about not making the Temple a
house of trade? What is Jesus’ concern here?
4. In verse 17, His disciples remember a line from Psalm 69,
an incredibly moving Psalm. Take some time and read it. Wow!
5. Why are the Jews looking for a sign? A sign of what?
6. How does Jesus’ answer, about His body as a Temple, answer
their question of a “sign”?
7. Obviously, Jesus is anticipating His resurrection here.
What is the connection between His body and the Temple? Why does He link these?
