There will be dishes to wash after the funeral

New York, N.Y. — In a world often teetering on the edge of absurdity, where the mundane and the profound collide in unexpected ways, writer Jim Luce offers a refreshing perspective: rituals—those small, repeated acts—can transform chaos into something beautiful. His essay, Life’s Absurdity Tamed through Rituals Within Rituals, explores how the interplay of faith, philosophy, and daily routines provides a scaffolding for meaning, even amidst life’s messiest moments. Take, for instance, his poignant observation: “There will be dishes to wash after the funeral.”

Luce, a New York-based thinker known for weaving theology with everyday experience, doesn’t shy away from life’s contradictions. Instead, he celebrates them. Death and dishwashing, grief and gratitude—these are not opposites in his view but threads in the same tapestry. His work suggests that rituals, whether grand like a religious ceremony or humble like stacking plates, offer a way to steady ourselves when the ground feels shaky. And in 2025, as the world navigates ongoing uncertainties, his message feels like a warm embrace.

The essay, rooted in faith and philosophy, strikes a chord with readers seeking solace without dogma. Luce argues that rituals within rituals—like praying before a meal or lighting a candle during a storm—create layers of intention that anchor us. “They’re not about control,” he writes, “but about presence.” This positivity shines through as he reframes life’s absurdity not as a burden, but as an invitation to engage more deeply with the human experience.

Consider the funeral scene he paints: mourners gather, tears fall, and yet, life insists on moving forward. The dishes pile up—a quiet reminder that even in sorrow, there’s a rhythm to reclaim. For Luce, washing those dishes becomes a ritual of its own, a small act of care that honors the departed while tending to the living. It’s a perspective that turns the ordinary into the sacred, and it’s resonating far beyond New York’s bustling streets.

Experts in theology and psychology are taking note.

Dr. Sarah Mendel, a professor of religious studies at NYU, praises Luce’s approach. “He’s highlighting how rituals don’t just mark time—they make it meaningful,” she says. “In a fast-paced world, that’s a gift.” Meanwhile, wellness advocates point out that repetitive acts, like brewing morning coffee or folding laundry, mirror mindfulness practices, offering mental clarity amid chaos. Luce’s essay taps into this zeitgeist, suggesting that meaning isn’t found in grand gestures alone but in the quiet patterns we build.

The positivity of his outlook lies in its universality. You don’t need to be religious to find comfort in routine. A secular reader might see their weekly grocery run as a ritual of provision, while a spiritual one might layer it with gratitude. Luce’s genius is in leaving room for both. His words invite us to notice the rituals already humming beneath our lives and to create new ones where we need them most.

In 2025, this message feels timely. After years of upheaval—pandemics, political shifts, and climate challenges—people are hungry for stability. Luce’s essay offers a roadmap, not through escapism, but through engagement. “Absurdity doesn’t vanish,” he writes, “but it softens when we meet it with intention.” It’s a call to action wrapped in gentleness, urging us to find joy in the small stuff—like the clink of dishes being stacked after a shared meal, even one tinged with loss.

Communities are already responding.

In New York, a group of friends inspired by the essay has started a “Ritual Club,” meeting monthly to share personal traditions—everything from baking bread to writing letters. Online, readers are swapping stories of their own rituals, from lighting incense to walking the dog at dawn. Luce’s work is sparking a quiet movement, one that proves positivity can bloom even in life’s strangest corners.

As spring unfolds in New York, with cherry blossoms peeking through concrete, Luce’s essay reminds us that life’s absurdity isn’t something to conquer—it’s something to dance with. Through rituals within rituals, we can all find our steps. And yes, there will be dishes to wash. But maybe that’s the point: in the suds and the scrubbing, there’s a chance to reflect, to heal, and to smile.

Embracing Life’s Chaos with Grace: Rituals as a Beacon of Meaning

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