Holy Tradition

I have been pondering tradition. Certainly the wonderful, rich traditions of the church, which are especially present to us in the somber purples of Lent and the exuberant whites and golds of Easter. But also the traditions that are part of our individual lives--traditions from our families, our ethnic groups, our workplaces.

Tradition ties us to our own history and makes strong connections with others who share the same tradition. It transmits knowledge, fosters identity, and creates comfort. It seems to me that the groundedness in tradition is a universal human trait. But tradition can also isolate and play into our human tendency to feel superior to others: “the way we do things is the right way”. And there are traditions that are death dealing: exiling lepers, burning witches, shooting political opponents, come to mind.

At its best, tradition is a living system, rather than a fossilized set of dusty rules. The traditions of the church are constantly producing new shoots, as the life of the Spirit finds new outlets. New imaginations and new environments discover new ways to be true to the traditions of faith. And, after all, in God’s eternity, it is all new all the time. (Rev. 21:5) (Ecclesiastes 3:15) That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already is; and God seeks out what has gone by.