Rituals and living faith: what is the difference?
You have probably met quite often a person who puts a candle in the church for health or repose. Or people who go to sanctificate Easter baskets. Have you ever wondered how this is reflected in their faith in God and in their relationship with God?
Unfortunately, people who perform rituals, even Christian ones, in our time rarely think about their meaning. Or in fact, there are few such people among us who really think about their meaning. Of course, all this has meaning, but only if it is connected with faith.
Let's take the consecration of baskets for example. Few people understand that this symbolizes that Christ defeated death with his life and atoned for our sins. But most nominal Christians in their faith probably think about the well-being that should come to the house with a consecrated basket and a burning candle in a lamp, prefer this understanding. Living faith is built precisely on the sacred meaning of those things that are performed by the rite. Though people rarely decide to find it, or are not really interested in it.
Often, some rituals come either from pre-Christian antiquity (pagan traditions) and have nothing to do with Christian beliefs (such as abstinence over a fire on the day of the celebration of John the Baptist in the summer), or are quite conditional.
People often light candles in church, believing that in this way God will hear their prayers. But the Bible teaches that it is enough to pray to God, and He will answer if we ask in faith. Faith and God's obedience are enough.
As the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-9: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
So, we should not underestimate the essence of the actions that are related to our faith (faith and not traditions or rituals).
Let us recall the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman in the Bible. When she asked Jesus, “Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” (John 4:20) In other words, “where is the truth, where exactly should one worship to God?” This woman was interested in learning the truth – how to perform the rite of worship. Jesus answered her:
Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:21-24)
Jesus says that it is not the place that matters, but how we worship God. He says that the Father seeks worshipers who will worship in spirit and truth.
So what are the rituals and traditions for? They only remind us of a biblical story, of the essence of prayers or appeals to God, or of some other important event (sometimes family). But we must strive to see and discern the meaning in them if we observe them. Rites and rituals have only a symbolic meaning, they should not be considered as some kind of magic that can do something for a certain purpose.
I do not want to say at all that traditions and rituals are superfluous. They are often necessary, they serve as good reminders, often discipline us (for example, to celebrate holidays in a certain way). Traditions in particular help us to feel unity with God, a certain support in something important. Some even say that certain traditions form good habits in us [1].
It is no secret that traditions can be changed and improved, made easier and adapted to the modern realities of life.
Finally, I would like to offer a prayer for you, the readers:
Our Lord and our God. We want to be ready to follow You, even if it goes beyond the usual. Do everything you want, God. We thank You for our lives. Here we are before You, the Holy Spirit, who works in us and through us. Do everything new in us, Lord, and through us, Lord. Make us able to go beyond traditions and rituals that have only a symbolic function. Strengthen our faith and make us “worshippers who join You in Spirit and truth,” as it is said in Your Word. Work in our church community. Renew us, Lord. Give us the courage to change, if necessary, so that Your will may work in our lives and be complete. Teach us to trust You completely and completely, and to follow You without fear or doubt. Make all things new, Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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