Keeping Our Balance
Do any of you remember the 1971 film adaptation of the 1964 musical “Fiddler on the Roof?” The movie opens with a Fiddler playing on a rooftop, his footing appearing very secure, allowing for the stability needed to continue his performance confidently. The film opens with Tevye (the dad) explaining how it is possible for the Fiddler to remain balanced while perched upon the roof. His answer is quick and certain: “Tradition.” As we quickly come to understand, the Fiddler is a metaphor. The real question to Tevye is how the villagers will keep life in balance with the encroachment of the outside world upon their little village? How will they remain faithful to who they are, their way of life, their God and the religious tradition that has provided stability for them and all the ancestors who have gone before?
The scene from this movie crept back into my consciousness over the last several weeks as events occurred and stories were shared. I began thinking about the significance and meaning of tradition in my life and all of our lives as we journey through this life.
The first experience involved visiting the Royal British Columbia Museum at Victoria Island. Two exhibits that piqued my interest and truly spoke to my heart were entitled “Family Bonds and Belonging: It’s Not All Relative,” and “Living Languages.” Each begged the questions, Who am I? To Whom do I belong? What truly gives my life meaning? The exhibits focused on the aboriginal people of Canada known as The First Nations. As I walked and took in the sights and sounds enveloping me, there was a richness and depth of understanding that came with remembering the past – their history, culture, spirituality, language and tradition. I suspect that their story truly resonates with many. Even though our ancestry may be different, there were many common threads that wove a familiar pattern that may be claimed by all of us. We all long to know what came before in order to know what we must reclaim and what must remain so we do not lose our balance.
The second event that brought Tevye to mind involved all the images shared on Facebook during the 122nd Mount Carmel festival, which takes place in Lowellville, Ohio. The Mount Carmel Society began with my uncle’s grandfather and continues today under the leadership of a great-great grandson. The festival began in 1895 to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which falls on July 16. The celebration has not changed much since its inception; there is the pageantry of the procession with the Blessed Virgin, celebration of Mass if the feast falls on a Sunday, the baby doll dance (reminding on lookers to rid themselves of sins and praying the community will be rid of problems), the gathering of family and friends, and always authentic Italian food and music to be enjoyed by all.
This small community in Ohio is not alone in its traditional celebration. Other communities across our country have been marking the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel for as long as 144 years.
My question is, why does tradition remain, especially religious tradition (T and t)? Is there a deeper meaning to the practice – one that even its participants may have a difficult time articulating? Does it help these individuals, families and communities keep their collective balance? Is there a sense of stability gained by remembering where their roots were originally planted and how their branches have stretched to new heights by having never left the foundation – their source of life?
Has that foundation provided the sure footing that enables the Fiddler to regain his balance even in the midst of the storms that have come?
