Dionysus on a Bike

Mark 7:1-13 – 6/13/2026

Yes, this Jesus talking, but it could have just easily been Martin Luther. Or rather Martin Luther is simply channeling Jesus when he opposed the traditions of the Roman Church that stood in opposition to the clear commands of God in Scripture. It’s a simple lesson that bears repeating. The commands to love are more important than any tradition.

Tradition in itself is not bad. In fact, tradition is inescapable. Our experience, the way we make our way through the world, and our relationships are all structured and conditioned by our immersion in a particular set of traditions. Tradition is a kind of repetition. Repetition creates habits and expectations in the individual subject, which in turn are part of the filter through which we make sense of our being in the world. Tradition forms that backdrop that allows the new to make sense and to be integrated into our lives.

Tradition is inescapable and what it does for human beings makes us the kinds of creatures we are. We must never lose sight of the fact that we can shape, transform, reject, reform, and revolutionize tradition. While we cannot escape tradition in general, we do not therefore lose our freedom with respect to it. Discernment is important to show us where tradition enhances our understanding of and ability to love and where tradition actually prevents us from love or causes real harm.

From time to time in human history and in the histories of particular societies and communities, it is necessary to overturn layer after layer of ossified culture that no longer serves its purpose and now causes far more harm than good. Jesus’s ministry was one such event where beautiful traditions had been corrupted by legalism, greed, and collaboration with empire. Luther’s time was another such example. I submit our own time is one where need to shed off and transform the traditions we have inherited in order that we can better follow the commands of God and Scripture to love.

Reflections of a Dionysian Lutheran, comments on the daily readings of the Revised Common Lectionary by Justin Marquis