Tradition

The Jews were big on tradition.

And that can be a good thing.

Tradition helps to preserve and pass down important values.

And ritual guides the specific practices associated with the tradition.

We Americans are big on some traditions too.

Our tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving Day is one example.

We do it every year at the same time.

Commemorating the Pilgrim’s celebration of their survival at Plymouth.

Thanking God.

And thanking their neighbors—the Indians—who helped them survive.

We have the tradition of the extended family meal.

There’s a combination of tradition and ritual in how it is prepared.

Who makes which dishes; whose recipes they follow.

The tradition has changed over the years.

With families spread all over the country today, 

Some of us can’t make it to that family meal.

Some of us don’t have family.

But even if we don’t observe it, 

We’re all familiar with that Thanksgiving tradition.

The Indians and Pilgrims didn’t have TV 

Or play football at that first Thanksgiving feast.

But the American tradition has changed to incorporate watching football.

And we’ve added Macy’s parade.

For many, getting a jump on Christmas shopping is now part of the tradition.

(Christmas celebration—there’s another American tradition we could talk about.)

Really, for most Americans,

The original meaning of the Thanksgiving tradition has been lost.

Most know the history.

They might be able to tell you about the Pilgrims’ celebration.

But giving special thanks to God is a minor part, if any part at all, 

Of modern Thanksgiving Day.

These are the kinds of traditions that Jesus ignored.

And criticized in today’s Gospel.

Traditions like the ritual washings.

Which might have begun with a worthy purpose—

Like helping draw people nearer to God.

But over the years lost their original purpose.

The Pharisees and the people focused too intently 

On their rules and rituals for the traditions.

Eventually, observance of those rules and rituals became the ultimate goal.

Even when those rules and rituals had no significant relation to God.

Even when their man-made rule contradicted God’s commandment.

Today is Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras.

Another traditional celebration.

Not directly religious, but with a once-strong association to Lent.

As we move into Lent this week, 

It’s a good time to assess our traditions and rituals.

Do I see a benefit from a particular tradition or ritual?

Could it draw me closer to God, or to my family or to my fellow man?

Is it neutral?

Is it perhaps even bad for me?

What changes should I make?

5th Tuesday Ordinary Time
Mardi Gras

Mk 7:1-13     Read this Scripture @usccb.org