Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“He was teaching and saying, ‘Is it not written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations”? But you have made it a den of robbers.’”
NL Daily Devotion for Thursday, February 29, 2024
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
There is nothing inherently wrong with tradition. Our religious practices—the flow of our worship services, the sacraments, the structure of our community—are intended to all come together to enrich our spiritual lives and build our unity. I find joy and comfort in the rituals of communion, baptism, candle-lighting, children’s sermons, and even the passing of the offering plate.
The problem comes when the traditions and practices become an end unto themselves, rather than an aid to spiritual connection. It was probably like that in the temple. The Jewish practice of ritual sacrifice went back to the laws of Moses and before. It wasn’t convenient for people to bring animals with them when they traveled to Jerusalem, so they had to be able to buy the required animals when they got there. And they needed the local currency, so the money-changers had to be there, too. And yet, one wonders whether most people weren’t just going through the motions because “it’s just what we do” rather than seeing this practice as holy and sanctifying. Isn’t that what happens in our church communities? Especially when someone suggests we do something *gasp* differently?
Jesus came in swinging, with far more than a “suggestion” for doing things differently. I certainly don’t recommend that as a way to shake things up in your own congregation. But maybe it’s worth looking at where the traditions have lost the ability to help us grow spiritually and revisit them with an eye to the true end, which is connection with God.
What traditions does my faith community observe that I don’t understand or that aren’t helping me grow spiritually?