Why do your disciples break the tradition of the Elders? –– Matthew 15:2a.
Today’s verse reminds me of the musical/movie Fiddler on the Roof. It is one of my all time favorites, and it is certainly all about “tradition.” The father struggles with tradition and his faith as circumstances force him and his daughters to question the reasons behind centuries old traditions. I may go watch the movie again as soon as I finish.
Over the years, my family has developed certain traditions around the Holiday season. The Thanksgiving meal may accommodate slight variations, but we still must have Turkey for leftover sandwiches and extra dressing during the football weekend that follows. Christmas traditions are more flexible, but any modification requires an internal debate with vocal dissents. Each of us has some tradition we are unwilling to sacrifice. We may not remember when a tradition started, but we will fight like Hell to continue it.
The most important tradition we celebrate during the holidays is not the food, the decorations, or the specific ritual of gift-giving, but the concept of family itself. Ours is separated by distance these days, but come the Holiday season, we are in touch and always thinking about each other. This is the spirit of the tradition, and it is what Jesus teaches in response to the elders: the letter of the law can sometimes overshadow the greater commandment of love and mercy. The ceremonial washing of hands, the “tradition of the Elders,” had become a rigid rule that stood in the way of compassion, making the ritual more important than the person it was meant to serve. When we cling so fiercely to the small, external traditions—the cranberry sauce or the specific time we open presents—we must remember that the only tradition worth fighting for is the one that fosters connection, honors love, and keeps our hearts soft toward one another. The enduring “tradition of family” provides the structure, but love remains the substance.
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