How should we celebrate

By Rosalie Sugrue in Articles

celebrations are times of connection

Here we are, well into October - normally the last ordinary month before plunging into end of year activities. But this October has not been normal. Little NZ has been hosting an international tournament for weeks, and at the time of writing I don't know if the final national mood will be jubilation or mourning, but regardless there have been high moments of celebration along the way. Celebrations are important mood lifters be they cultural or personal. I'm still on a high from my fabulous 70th birthday party - positively bobbing buoyed by masses of cards, greetings and blessings from family and friends.

A good gift from traditional Christianity is its regular festivals. My dictionary explains that festival can be religious or secular and its origin comes from feast. The Catholic saints all have their feast days. Many words synonymous with festivity have religious origins. Jubilation from Jubal the character of Genesis 4, said to be the ancestor of those who play musical instruments. Mardi Gras (Fr. fat Tuesday) and Carnival (Lt. farewell to flesh) originally marked the last day before the reflective fasting season of Lent. Secular use has altered the intention, the words now relating far more to excess than holiness. But, perhaps Christians get too serious in religious practice?

The sacrament of Holy Communion is, in religious language, is celebrated. Parishioners seldom partake of same in celebratory mood. But I do recall once at Glenaven an open (to oldies) youth evening where participants sat on the floor of the lounge and had a Communion ritual based on sharing hot chips and tomato sauce, with some fish thrown in for good measure. I'm not advocating this become the universal way. My point is celebrations are times of connection, and more meaningful if the celebrants give some thought to what they are celebrating. If in taking Communion we are locked into revering a God who demanded the sacrifice of his son we are not likely to feel joyful. But if we are celebrating the life on an amazing man who gave teaching that is meaningful to us today, we may be more open to joy.

Enjoying fireworks with family and friends is enjoyable but is it ethical to celebrate an act of sectarian violence in England as a family festival in NZ? Wouldn't a festival that looks skywards in winter have more merit for us? If you agree take action - sound out aspiring MPs on replacing the sale of Guy Fawkes fireworks in Oct/Nov to Matariki fireworks in May/June. Then next year we could look at dressing up to joyfully hallow our ancestors rather than dressing up to demand treats!

Rosalie Sugrue