Finding hope in shared traditions

RELIGIOUS calendars can provide a reassuring rhythm to our lives. In the next few days, Christians will be re-enacting the familiar rituals of Holy Week: remembering Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples; his arrest, trial and crucifixion on Good Friday; and his Resurrection three days later at Easter.

- DR RAYMOND PERRIER

This same weekend, many Hindus in Durban will commemorate Ratha Yatra, the Festival of Chariots. Last Saturday, Jews started celebrating the Passover, in honour of Moses leading them out of Egypt. And, just recently, our Muslim brothers and sisters marked the end of Ramadaan with the celebration of Eid ul-Fitr.

In a culture dominated by a solar calendar, the fact that these are all lunar festivals — their incidence determined by the phases of the moon — means that their dates are not fixed and so require us to be more aware of them.

But like the moon, they recur with a natural rhythm so we can look forward, each year, to the cycle of fasting and celebration.

Moreover, though there may be particular traditions in our own families, they are essentially communal events: I celebrate with other members of my local church or mosque or temple.

And I know that I am linked with fellow believers who are celebrating in other parts of the world. If I pause to think deeper, I might also remember those who have been marking these same festivals across hundreds if not thousands of years and, in turn, feel connected to them.