Rituals: Where do they fit in today's world?

Rituals:  Where do they fit in today’s world?

There have been so many negative approaches to Jewish and Roman Catholic ritualistic ideals that many of the world’s groups against our religions will do everything to diminish our populace.  The recent war in Israel between Hamas and Israel with a lot of support for Palestine has set off world-wide denunciation of the Jews and anyone supporting their cause.  Roman Catholics also are becoming a target because of the beliefs we’ve inherited and are right on the top of the list to be overthrown by non-believers.  What is the prime reason or excuse for anti-ritual enemies of our religious beliefs to want to destroy us?  Perhaps we can without prejudice say it is our ritual adherence to Almighty God and all that is associated with them.  

Why are the other denominations of Christian religions not being attacked like Catholics?  One fact of certainty is the traditions Catholics and Jews hold dear to their heritage.  

Let’s begin with the Jews.  From Exodus, “This is what the Lord said to Moses:  Tell the Israelites to take up a collection for me.  From every man you shall accept the contribution that his heart prompts him to give me.  These are the contributions you shall accept from them:  gold, silver and bronze; violet, purple and scarlet yarn; fine linen and goat hair; rams’ skins dyed red, and tahash skins;acacia wood; oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; onyx stones and other gems for mounting on the ephod and the breast-piece.  

They shall make a sanctuary for me, that I may dwell in their midst.  This dwelling and all its furnishings you shall make exactly according to the pattern that I will show you.”   (Ex 25: 1 - 8).

Of course, there are more requirements that follow these plans, but it is to point out that the Arc of the Covenant has become the ritual and protective rules that supports the ancient requirement of honoring God.  It also stands as a sign along with other actions that point to the birth, mission, and eventual sacrifice of Christ, the Son of God.  

The Tabernacle in all the Catholic Churches also stands as more than a sepulcher for Consecrated hosts.  It is also a designed structure that houses the Real Presence of Christ and is protected using the most astute requirements of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

Other Christian denominations do not have this since they do not adhere to the Real Presence of Christ in the products of bread and wine that are the Real elements of his Sacred Body and Blood.  Herein is the most crucial reason Catholicism is the only religion that has Christ as its leader, following traditions,  and will be there as we enter into eternity to welcome us.  

Unfortunately, we are viewing many other denominations who sidestep our rituals, and a world filled with anti-believers in a God who is real in the designs of worship has not gone away like the winds of disbelief.

We hold the true absolutes made up of traditions that are not going away.  From the CCC;  “Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, then are bound closely together and communicate one with the other.  For both of them, flowing out of the same divine well-spring, come together in some fashion to form one thing and move towards the same goal.  Each of them makes present and fruitful in the Church the mystery of Christ, who promised to remain with his own always  to the close of the age.”  (CCC 80).  

“It is clear therefore that, in the supremely wise arrangement of God, sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture, and the Magisterium of the Church are so connected and associated that one of them cannot stand without the others.  Working together, each in its own way, under the action of the one Holy Spirit, they all contribute effectively to the salvation of souls.”  (CCC 95).

Refusal to accept the age-old traditions upon which our faith is built will only weaken the very faith that began with Jesus, before, during, and after his Incarnation and will not become just another whim of those who are nominal Catholics and our adversaries who are joining them.

Ralph B. Hathaway