28 September 2006

My Dear People, Some Food for Thought on “TRADITIONS” ?

In his recent letter our Presiding Bishop (PB) reminded us “what is ‘tradition’ was at one time ‘innovation’.”
Here are some “traditions”:

• St Paul enjoined women to keep silent in church and keep their heads covered. Hah!

• At the time of my ordination there were no female acolytes, no lectors or lay readers. The priest did the whole schmeer! (Let us rejoice that this “tradition” faded away!)

• The Armed services traditionally were entirely male. Now we have females commanding ships, serving as Generals, flying jet fighters. And we are functioning quite well, thank you!

• “Tradition” lo those 50 years ago called for Morning Prayer (MP) three times a month and a very special Eucharist (Holy Communion back then) was celebrated once a month. This is not an argument to return to these practices but a reminder that traditions do change!

• Tradition is not to be used as a weapon!

• Traditionally women stayed home and the man of the house earned the money. Should we re-instate this tradition? It certainly has disappeared!

• It was tradition that a gentleman opened doors for women and gave a standing woman their seat. Many women now regard this practice an insult to their competence!

• Let us not have the broken heart that Tevye felt by keeping the “tradition”, that prohibited his daughter from marrying a gentile, and having to disown his daughter

Again “Food for Thought”

Father John & Jeanneane Keene