Worship, or liturgy, is built on tradition. Much of what we do in our houses of faith has roots in history. Even the self-described non-denominational or non-liturgical churches perform actions done thousands of years ago.
Singing in church has roots in the ancient Hebrews singing the Psalms. Processions down church center aisles finds its tradition in early Christianity parading from one location for reading of Holy Scripture to a second location for the breaking of the bread.
But all worship, in order to be meaningful to the faithful, must come out of the lived experience of the people. Paul Tillich, the noted theologian once said, "Liturgy must reflect the culture." What faith leaders must ask themselves about their worship is just how meaningful is it for the participants? Does the worship help the faithful connect with God?
There may be some Roman Catholics who find the Latin Mass is meaningful and helps them to connect with God. There are Orthodox Christians who find worshipping in Greek, Russian, Arabic, Serbian or Armenian leads them to a closer relationship with their creator.
What is really essential in connecting Christians with their "ancestors in faith" is another tradition--baptism. That action "grafts" a person onto the "Body of Christ," as the Apostle Paul describes it. It also connects those living now with the unknown numbers of the "cloud of witnesses" who have gone before us.
There is a danger, however, if an element of tradition loses its meaning for the people practicing it. If people end up worshipping a tradition rather than seeing it as a means to connect with God, then the tradition becomes an idol. For those who use the Bible as their sacred text, there are thousands of verses warning the faithful against idolatry. Those admonitions are just as valid today.
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