Eagle-eyed shutterbug Claudia Ballheim caught this photo the other day.
Personally, I’ve been finding comfort in this very ritual. As the weather turns cooler, it feels great to stop by the coffee shop for a tall mocha on my way to work. It’s bad for my health, my bank account, and my self-discipline. But it sure is yummy having dessert for breakfast! And besides, God, at least I’m not like those other people who need to have a grande or a venti. Aren't I righteous?
“Take comfort in rituals.” In what rituals do you take comfort? Why? And are there rituals that do more than merely comfort you? Are there rituals that actually challenge you to grow?
Our cat takes comfort in ritual! Some time ago he decided he was too old to jump up on the dryer where his food is kept, safe out of the dogs' reach. So he took to asking us to lift him, which we did for many months, several times a day. Then I put an ice chest by the dryer so he could jump to it, and then on to the dryer. He can clearly do that but no, each morning he waits for us to get up and then he insists on being picked up for his breakfast. A loving gesture and reminder to him he is loved.
ReplyDeleteI took this photo because it strikes me that many of the reasons we like Starbuck's are the same ones that led people hundreds of years ago to church -- fellowship, the comfort of knowing that wherever you are -- Seattle, Miami, Phoenix -- ...when you enter the building, the experience will be familiar and predictable. The rituals we engage in today are almost all commercial, not spiritual or civic. I guess I also think that "comfort" should be one but not the only thing we get from rituals, especially spiritual ones -- ideally, those should impart (shared) meaning and a sense of transcendence. Too much comfort can make you numb.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Claudia! I have a recurring prayer that I use when I am troubled: "Lord, cradle me and challenge me." In other words, I want to feel comforted first, but God had better not let me stay in that place forever.
ReplyDeleteLike most people, I DO find rituals comforting. I don't drink coffee in the morning -- instead I enjoy a big glass of iced, tea year round, rain or shine. I'll drink iced tea at my house, the local Starbucks or anywhere, as long as it is freshly brewed. :)
ReplyDeleteOn the spiritual side of life, I take great comfort in the ritual of the Eucharist (in my childhood church we called it the Lord's Supper or Communion.) Being fed by the Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit is not only comforting, it is also mysterious and powerful. I treasure going to the rail along with my husband and children and sharing the ritual as a family. The Eucharist is a meaninful and visual reminder that I am also a member of a spiritual family. At St. Thomas, I love the connection I feel with everyone as we all come forward and kneel to receive the bread and wine.
Thanks, Sunni. Occasionally I visit a church that doesn't do Eucharist every week. I usually leave feeling as if I haven't been to church -- the Eucharist is THAT important to me.
ReplyDeleteThere's not a lot of knowledge out there in our culture about the sacraments -- the idea that God is conveyed to us and into us through everyday things like bread and wine, or like the water of baptism. It's very mysterious, and I imagine it sounds superstitious to some. But to me, it's what worship IS.