No Middle Course

Several years ago, one of the big, daily newspapers ran a thought-provoking column about religious holydays and secular holidays. Both, said the writer, are losing their meaning. We appear to be simply “going through the motions on the days of our religious and secular festivals. More and more, we’re becoming a fragmented people, withdrawn from one another, isolated from one another, and you can’t celebrate a festival alone.” To which we might well add, “You can’t celebrate God’s gift of life alone.” And you can’t celebrate together if you are detached from your roots.

In our individual life and in our community life, both, if we are to experience wholeness, and a true sense of purpose, and a sure sense of direction, we need to be in constant touch with our roots: One of the ways in which God nourishes us is through our roots, our heritage, our traditions. The great, gracious God who created us has given us continuity. The past, present and…