Understanding ritual
SOME READERS are asking, “What really are rituals?” One has asked, “How can we get rid of rituals in our country?” The questions indicate that there has been a misunderstanding about the word, ‘rituals’.
The etymology of ritual by etymonline observes that the word comes from the Latin, ‘ritus’. It has been in usage since the early 14th century, ‘formal act or procedure of religious observance performed according to an established manner’, from Latin ritus ‘custom, usage’, especially ‘a religious observance or ceremony’ (source also of Spanish, Italian rito), which perhaps is from PIE root re- ‘to reason, count’, on the notion of ‘to count; to observe carefully’.
The word is not a ‘bad’ one or one to be feared. Let us demystify the word ‘ritual’. There are marriage rituals, baptismal rituals, holy communion rituals and so on. Rituals are common to religions regardless of tradition. In some traditions, the marriage ritual includes the exchange of vows, blessing and exchange of rings, inclusive of the lighting of the unity candle for some. Still for some the wedding ritual may include the bride and groom jumping over a broom together after the vows have been taken.
At this time of year, it is customary for Jewish tradition to observe certain rituals in preparation for the Passover. Jesus also observed such rituals. The house is cleaned before Passover is celebrated. The Passover story is repeated. The seder ritual or Jewish feast at the start of Passover is the time when Exodus
13:8 is observed: “And thou shalt tell thy son in that day, saying: It is because of that which the LORD did for me when I came
forth out of Egypt.” A door is also left open for Elijah since his appearance is anticipated. Some even leave a vacant chair for Elijah at the table of the seder. The seder ritual concludes when the matzah has been eaten so that this is the last taste had re the recalling of the Passover sacrifice.
Interestingly, the Christian Passover or Easter also has rituals which recall the sacrifice of Christ. That is, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. You may not recall hearing the term ‘Christian Passover’. Well, listen to Paul again in the Easter Anthems:
THE EASTER ANTHEMS
1 Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us:
so let us celebrate the feast,
2 not with the old leaven of corruption and wickedness:
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
1 Corinthians 5.7b, 8
3 Christ once raised from the dead dies no more:
death has no more dominion over him.
4 In dying he died to sin once for all: in living he lives to God.
5 See yourselves therefore as dead to sin:
and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6.9–11
6 Christ has been raised from the dead:
the first fruits of those who sleep.
7 For as by man came death: by man has come also the resurrection of the dead;
8 for as in Adam all die: even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1 Corinthians 15.20–22
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
Celebrations of Christ our Passover have various rituals inclusive of the washing of feet, the institution of the Lord’s supper, the lighting of the paschal candle, and so on.
The misunderstanding of the word ‘ritual’ reminds of the misunderstanding of another word. It is ‘tradition’. Some years ago, while I was a seminarian, I saw another university student peeping into the chapel which I was preparing for mass. She pointed to the tabernacle light and asked, “What is that?” I started my response with the words, “well in our tradition ... .” Before I could finish the sentence, she started to shout aloud, “Jesus said, beware of the traditions of men … .” After her shock and dismay, I noted that all religious practices are the traditions of human beings. She seemed stunned for a while and then resumed preaching. She refused to listen to a response to her question, since her biblical quote was sufficient in giving her licence to condemn others.
I must express thanks to the many who continue to read and ask helpful questions as you remain open for conversations. May this Lent find your practices of prayer, silence, study, giving, and surrender to the will and purpose of God, enriched as you walk with Christ towards Easter.