It is said that during a service at an old synagogue in Eastern Europe, when the Shema prayer was said, half the congregants stood up and half remained sitting.

The half that was seated started yelling at those standing to sit down, and the ones standing yelled at the ones sitting to stand up.

The rabbi, learned as he was in the Law and commentaries, didn't know what to do. His congregation suggested that he consult a housebound 98-year-old man, who was one of the original founders of their temple. The rabbi hoped the elderly man would be able to tell him what the actual temple tradition was, so he went to the nursing home with a representative of each faction of the congregation.

The one whose followers stood during Shema said to the old man, "Is it our tradition to stand during this prayer?" The old man answered, "No, that is not our tradition."

The one whose followers sat asked, "Is it our tradition to sit during Shema?" The old man answered, "No, that is not our tradition."

Then the rabbi said to the old man, "The congregants fight all the time, yelling at each other about whether they should sit or stand..."

The old man interrupted, exclaiming, "THAT is our tradition!"

I think I've known some congregations with that same tradition!  Seriously, though, what is our tradition?  What is it that we have done over and over until it is what we are known for? Is it our posture in prayer? Or is it our fussing and arguing with one another?

Traditions of men are to be renounced when they oppose the commandments of God (Mark 7:9), but tradition is nothing more than we way we normally do things. Wouldn't it be great to have a tradition of loving service to God? Or a tradition of unity?

The church in Thessalonica had a great tradition. Paul speaks of it as he opens his second letter to them:

"We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren,
as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly,
and the love of every one of you all
abounds toward each other,
so that we ourselves boast of you
among the churches of God
for your patience and faith in all your persecutions
and tribulations that you endure."
(2 Thessalonians 1:3-4)

What's your tradition?