Ritual
As I attempt to write this piece, I am listening to the Ave Maria. The hymn is being sung quite expertly by a group appropriately named “The Priests.” The song generates a reflective mood, centering on my Mom. The years having taken a toll, particularly on Mom’s mental capacities, but she still enjoys music at 97. My sister will occasionally mount the arduous task of getting Mom to Sunday Mass, a weekly ritual that comforted her well into her nineties.
Religious ritual provided Mom and millions of practitioners of many faiths, a sense of solace and provided a balance against the trials of life. The Saturday or Sunday church ritual appeals to our need for solidity and acceptance within our respective communities.
The English word "ritual" derives from the Latin ritualis, "that which pertains to rite." In Roman juridical and religious usage, ritus was the proven way of doing something, or "correct performance, custom." The original concept of ritus may be related to the Sanskrit ṛtá ("visible order") in Vedic religion, "the lawful and regular order of the normal, and therefore proper, natural and true structure of cosmic, worldly, human and ritual events." The word "ritual" is first recorded in English in 1570, and came into use in the 1600s to mean "the prescribed order of performing religious services" or more particularly a book of these prescriptions. (definition Wikipedia)
The community rituals we engage in addition to providing individual solace set a standard for interaction/behavior within the community. Failure to meet the standards results in punishment, and in some cases denial to participate within the community. It fell to the rituals’ leaders to decide on “the prescribed order” of a ritual and to enforce the punishments of offenders.
The advantages of standards of behavior are self-evident. The examples of the inner strength provided by religious rituals are numerous and at times remarkable. Oscar Romero was a traditionalist before his appointment to Arch-bishop, and his afterward relentless support of the poor made him a martyr. Dorothy Day’s conversion to Catholicism brought to maturity her radical spiritual journey of service to others. Franz Jägerstätter’s decision to not join or cooperate with the Nazis, would not have been possible without his religious convictions.
Unfortunately, the humans controlling the rituals have been all too human. Whether for individual material gain, consolidation of power, sexual misconduct, or “protecting the institution;” at times our religious ritual leaders have proven to be manipulative, and vindictive in exercising their abuse of power. The abuses have claimed many victims. Too often, the “other” is marginalized and critics have been and can expect to be maligned and persecuted. The abuses have dismayed and embarrassed us but the status quo has many defenders, often well intentioned ones.
Few of us have the strength of our convictions like a Franz. But at a minimum we should be aware of the suffering of the oppressed by any source, and offer them aid and support. Challenging leaders responsible for suffering is an individual decision. My only advice is to look at the radical Gospels, and see what teachings Christ offers on the
subjects of inclusive-ness, concern for children, and challenging authority. Be aware you are in extremely good company when you exercise your conscious and spiritual convictions, and make the difficult decision to seek change from inside or outside any ritualistic organization.
Peace, Mike Connor
Woodcut: R.F. McGovern
