A tradition of change

The Roman Catholic Lectionary offers texts today which promote thoughts about tradition and change. We are creatures of habit. Our culture certainly points us to social practices regarding how to relate to family and tribe in the way we celebrate birth, marriage, succession and inheritance. The first born son in western culture and in Middle East culture is granted special status in family hierarchy. The passage from the Book of Genesis which tells of the action of Rebekah and Jacob to steal the blessing of Isaac for his firstborn Easu violates the cultural norm. The life of Easu and his disposition towards conflict and abuse of power are offered as justification for the deception of Isaac. Prior to the episode of the blessing, Easu had sold hisbirthright to Jacob for a bowl of soup. (Genesis 25:29-34) Friar Jude Winkler notes that this text was written during the reign of Solomon, who was not the eldest son. King David was the youngest son and the message of the author of the text may be related to those situations. We can recall many situations in cultural, political and spiritual history where the intended recipient has failed to exercise the responsibility and the mantle has passed to an unexpected heir. The Gospel of Matthew today offers Jesus response to the disciples of John about the practice of fasting which is not evident among His disciples. It is a valuable spiritual discipline for the disciples of John and the Pharisees. Jesus tells us of the relationship of fasting and mourning which we can understand as appropriate from our experience. The theme of testing tradition for appropriateness is our take away. Change is necessary. The mixing of old and new can be disastrous as the concluding text indicates. A small paradox is presented here wherein the tradition of not mixing old and new is present as guide for the testing of our other traditional responses for appropriateness.