C. S. Lewis on “rituals”

When the mind becomes more capable of abstraction and analysis this old unity (between rituals and God) breaks up. And no sooner is it possible to distinguish the rite from the vision of God than there is a danger of the rite becoming a substitute for, and a rival to, God Himself. Once it can be thought of separately, it will; and it may then take on a rebellious, cancerous life of its own.(C. S Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms)