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| http://int3372-xueli.blogspot.com/2010/11/symbolism.html |
The culture and subcultures that make up our being bring to
the table expectations of what we are to participate in and actions we are
expected to perform.
Among some of such expectations are symbolic rituals.
There
are symbolic actions that we can perform that actually MEAN something else.
They teach us lessons about the values we should keep.
Here are some symbolic rituals: foot washing during
communion services, walking under the chuppah during a wedding, giving
Christmas gifts, ablution rituals, wearing a wedding ring, or placing a bumper
sticker on your minivan about Supporting
Our Troops or Breast Cancer
Awareness.
You can see that many rituals take place during religious
services or rites of passage. And other symbols are representing a cause or
even a popular fad.
BUT WHAT ABOUT ACTUALLY TAKING THE SYMBOLISM TO HEART AND ACTING ON THESE POSITIVE TEACHINGS.
Washing feet may a be good way to show humility and service, but in the USA most people do not
really need their feet washed during church. I will assume that most people are
not walking dusty roads in sandals just before a service. They likely bathe
before the meeting and they are likely to pay especially close attention to their feet
on foot-washing days!
WHY NOT SERVE YOUR NEIGHBOR IN A REALISTIC WAY (in addition to the symbols).
...wash a
car for free.
... help someone's kid learn their math lessons.
... teach someone a
skill they want to know just as a way of reaching out.
... remind your
significant other that they are your better half. Mean it. Show
it.
... give somebody
a much needed gift based on their recent troubles.
... clean up the
parts in your life that are getting out of hand.
... reunite with
a loved one.
... give to
charity.
We have learned many teachings through symbols. But we are not to just blindly nor routinely keep on performing symbolic rituals. They are
passed down for a reason.
ACT!!!
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