When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But, when I became a man, I put away the things of a child.
1 Corinthians 13:11
The history of Israel is Salvation history. It is their sacred journey on earth. You can write a reflection of your salvation history.
Reflect on either:
1. The important events in your life and how God has worked through them. Ask yourself - what has God meant to me?
2. If the above question makes you uncomfortable ask yourself - What have been the important events, and who have been the important people? Avoid self judgement, just notice the memories and jot them down.
Babies learn from experiencing every new thing. We cannot prevent children from getting hurt as they grow up, though we can try to guide them and put safety measures in place to help them. As they grow up they learn mechanisims to help them navigate. So too with the faith life we learn as we go.
In adolescent years we need to test boundaries and make decisions for ourselves. Choices that are independent of our parents choices and lives while keeping some unity and love, as well as childhood loves that we take into adulthood.
As adults we live and move and have our beings in community with others, with boundaries that are healthy and live independently of parents.
In faith life we need words, music, symbols and tradition for a rich experience of faith. We read the Bible as stories as children, without the critical component and in adolescent years question it and the parts that do not align in adulthood we critically assess it and see the patterns, where history is proven and the value of the inner life.
The use of incense, candles, music are all to heighten the senses and bring us closer to God. The structure of services and reverence are needed for the critical elements of mass to help us to think and encourage unity, however change and growth comes from the mystical in the adulthood of our faith.
Priests and bishops help us to focus on and learn to pray. Many people go to jail in some countries for questioning authorities, some even lose their lives. Without the balance of critical thinking and institutionalized rules, as well as the freedom of choices and the mystical life faith is dull.
Rigid and dogmatic faith will lead to a faith life that is dead and devoid of feelings, emotions and justice. The richness of the faith life within, must be balanced with the traditions and authority of the church. The wisdom of the church and dead ends that lead to cul de sacs are there for us to learn from and also to make choices for ourselves about our faith and our lives.
Many people do not see the benefits or believe in the sacraments of faith tradition, but can still be kind people, help others and care about their families. The love we show to others is shaped and formed in homes and in community which encompasses faith.
It is not possible to be part of a family that only focuses on the happiness and well being of only one person in a family or where one person is constantly left out, mistreated or told to make their own plans and choices and forget about the rest of the family and everybody else. That family, marriage and group will soon disintegrate. So too faith communities have to have common elements to survive and thrive from children's groups to adults, faith has to have a way to encompass those who are uneducated and children, so that they come into the fold of faith.