History and Practice
In the world we live in how closely do we hold to tradition and History. A better question is how well do we teach Tradition and History? More importantly Tradition and History seem to change over the years. If you are a true traditionalist don't you have to ask when the tradition became a tradition.
I love the old story of mother who cut off the end of the ham. Her daughter asked her mother "why do you cut off the end of the ham mother?" The Mother answers "so that the juices help marinate it, I think. But my Mother always did it this way." So the daughter asks her grandmother, "why do you cut off the end of the ham?" The grandmother answers, "because that way it fit into the pan."
Sometimes the reasons we give for tradition are not the reason it started. It is easy for me to tell you why this is a good tradition or a bad tradition, but often times it has nothing to do with why it started that way. History is funny like that.
The church has many traditions that have changed over the years. They have morphed into something that is given meaning, while it started out of practical use. Jesus often times confronts the pharisees and Sadducees about traditions that they have expanded upon. But what about those traditions we hold so dear. Our Liturgies and practices within the church How did they start? Don't tell me St Paul worshiped in Ephesus the same way we do today. I am not ignorant.
The tradition and History of the Church have changed over the years. It may be better to say our practices, the meaning of our traditions and the view of our History has changed over the Years. Traditions have developed new meaning in order to justify them. The way we view things in history have changed as we gain more information or use it to defend our different positions. Our Practices change with fashion and Culture. Thank you.
I love the old story of mother who cut off the end of the ham. Her daughter asked her mother "why do you cut off the end of the ham mother?" The Mother answers "so that the juices help marinate it, I think. But my Mother always did it this way." So the daughter asks her grandmother, "why do you cut off the end of the ham?" The grandmother answers, "because that way it fit into the pan."
Sometimes the reasons we give for tradition are not the reason it started. It is easy for me to tell you why this is a good tradition or a bad tradition, but often times it has nothing to do with why it started that way. History is funny like that.
The church has many traditions that have changed over the years. They have morphed into something that is given meaning, while it started out of practical use. Jesus often times confronts the pharisees and Sadducees about traditions that they have expanded upon. But what about those traditions we hold so dear. Our Liturgies and practices within the church How did they start? Don't tell me St Paul worshiped in Ephesus the same way we do today. I am not ignorant.
The tradition and History of the Church have changed over the years. It may be better to say our practices, the meaning of our traditions and the view of our History has changed over the Years. Traditions have developed new meaning in order to justify them. The way we view things in history have changed as we gain more information or use it to defend our different positions. Our Practices change with fashion and Culture. Thank you.
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