Rituals

Beginnings are fun; endings not so much. I like spring and fall. They are the beginning seasons which lead to the ending seasons of summer and winter. The pungent smells of spring reawakens our senses and announces the coming of life renewed. The musty smell of fall helps prepare us for the harshness of winter and life on pause. Most religions have been built around these dramatic changes in the world around us. Starting as pagan rituals, they became religious rituals. Easter Sunday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus; Passover commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from slavery and a new beginning; Ramadan is a holy month of fasting and introspection. There are others but the common ingredient is that spring represents the earth’s renewal and in their unique way religious rituals embrace this sense of introspection and renewal. The role of Mother Nature is still dominant in our decision making. Rituals are an important part of our lives. They can be as simple as a consistent time of dinner or the fact that we eat dinner as a family. Ritual gives us stability and dependability. What rituals are not or should not be are proof of our allegiance to an organization or a cause. Ritual is comfort, security and familiarity. In spite of the commonality of many religious rituals, religious organizations insist on things being done in “their” way. It is “their “ rituals that are the “true” rituals and their organization is the ‘true” organization. The leadership of these different organizations only see seasonal change through the lens of their rituals. The fence we build around our clubhouse only serves to keep our idea of spring and renewal of the human spirit inside. Founded on religious freedom and the separation of church and state our country seems to have lost the true meaning of those founding rituals. Like our religious beliefs we have allowed ourselves to close our minds. Let us hope that the freshness in the air; the brilliance of color and the new life of this spring will open us to renewal and a fresh start. Let this spring be a beginning of inclusion and growth. Perhaps our rituals will open our eyes for change rather than close them with familiarity.