Rituals—we all do them, whether we recognize it or not. When we think of rituals, the first things to cross our minds will probably be stately religious rites, such as chanting liturgy or performing a baptism. Fraternal organizations, which I suppose could be considered quasi-religious groups in many respects, likewise make heavy use of rituals in their meetings and various activities. For instance, when initiating new members, Freemasons lead the initiate through a ceremony that tells the story of Hiram Abiff, the legendary architect of King Solomon’s temple. Even purely secular organizations, especially the military and other governmental entities, make use of rituals, such as saluting the flag or firing a volley to honor a deceased serviceman.
These ceremonial activities are not the only type of rituals that we engage in. Some of our daily activities—making a cup of your favorite coffee each morning, kissing your children goodbye as they head off to school, lounging in your recliner to read the newspaper after work—are, in a sense, rituals. These routines help give shape to our lives and serve as little reminders of what we hold dear, from simple pleasures to our loved ones.
Despite the ubiquitous nature of rituals, some groups will claim to eschew them. For example, the charismatic churches that I attended while growing up generally frowned upon rituals—or for that matter, anything they considered too “traditional.” On countless occasions I heard the admonishment to “break away from tradition” and instead embrace less structured, emotionally charged forms of worship. A Pentecostal pastor in my area echoed this sentiment by insisting that the decline of many mainline churches was due to their being “liturgy-laden.”
Their objection to religious rituals seemed to be based largely on the concern that they can become mere perfunctory routines rather than heartfelt acts of worship. Granted, that can happen, but I think they’ve overlooked some important points. For one thing, rituals do in fact abound even in non-liturgical churches. Closing eyes and bowing heads in prayer, lifting up hands in worship, anointing people with oil when praying for them, clapping during the songs, shouting “Amen!” at the preacher—when you get down to it, these and a host of other small actions are really little rituals in themselves. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Let’s face it: rituals—whether religious or secular, public or private, formalized or casual—are an integral part of our lives. Furthermore, I believe formal rituals lend dignity to an activity, reminding people that this is something to approach with respect.
Today is Ash Wednesday. Observed by Roman Catholics and some Protestants, it marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of penance, fasting, and almsgiving. Ash Wednesday derives its name from a ritual performed at masses or other worship services around the world on this day: having ashes smeared in the shape of a cross on one’s forehead. Why ashes? We read in the Bible of people putting ashes on themselves as a sign of mourning and/or repentance. As the ashes are applied to their forehead, the worshipper will hear the admonishment “Repent, and believe in the gospel” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
A simple ritual, but one with deep import. As Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to count our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.” We need reminders that our days are numbered and that we should always strive for holiness. Hence the benefit of rituals such as placing a cross of ashes on our heads, to help us keep in mind the brevity of life as well as God’s love for us, a love manifested on Calvary.
For those of you who observe Lent, I pray that you will not take for granted this and other rituals that we will go through during this season. Let us remember their significance so that they may serve as vehicles for drawing closer to God.
The Linden Valley 