Searching for spiritual rites of passage

What is the rite of passage for a young man or woman in our culture? What elements in worship or daily life do we have to remind us of the great gift of God’s grace in our lives? What helps us remember our Lord and our God?

These questions strike home as we read the Scriptures. The Old Testament has two specific elements that our Christian culture does not practice.

The first element is the building of altars. When God moved among his people he commanded them to build an altar. The altar was often made of stones and it remained present for years — many years. When anyone would pass the altar, even as it fell into disrepair, it would remind him or her that God intervened in man’s favor. They had an opportunity to stop, remember and worship the Lord.

The second element is the blessing a father would give to his sons. We can still see the blessing at bar and bat mitzvahs, when Jewish children are declared adults after being educated in the faith.

Henri Nowen was moved by one particular blessing at a bar mitzvah when the father blessed his son, saying, “Son, whatever will happen to you in your life, whether you will have success or not, become important or not, will be healthy or not, always remember how much your mother and I love you.”

Wow! Can that get any more encouraging?

What reminds us of God moving in our life?

What blessing and rite of passage do we pass to our children?

Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me,” when he instituted the Lord’s Supper.

Why would he say “remember”? He knew we would forget.

While the communion table is an important remembrance in our faith, there may be a need for more remembrances. What would constitute a modern-day altar? What can we see that will allow us to see the Son on dark and turbulent days?

I know it sounds strange. Can modern-day altars become ritualistic? They sure can, and we would have to constantly check our hearts in that regard. Some say it is our life or conversion that is the altar. That is true to some extent.

Maybe it can be a journal. Maybe it can be a friend who reminds us of the work of our Lord. Maybe it can be a place we go, where we know we meet with God on a regular basis.

What about blessings and rites of passage? In our culture there are two observable rites of passage. One is the driver’s license and the other is being able to drink at 21. These rites of passage don’t necessarily convey God and adulthood — just freedom.

A parent passing a blessing does not mean giving his or her children what they want. Blessing means instilling in them the love and grace of Jesus our Lord.

What do our children hear and what do they see? Is it a blessing or a curse?

Is there a way to develop a means of Christian adulthood for our children? I would like to think so.

To read more by John Ring, check out his blog at Johnring.wordpress.com.


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