God created me. He made me a white male with blonde hair and
blue eyes. I am of above average stature and efficient at storing excess energy
around my waist. He made me who I am. He fashioned me to be pleasing to him. I
am to be a good steward of my body, soul, and spirit. I am not to be a good
steward to please myself but to give glory to the one who created me.
Idolatry is placing something or someone in the place
reserved only for the one who created us. Idolatry comes in many different
forms. The original idolatry was committed by Adam and Eve. When the devil
offered them the forbidden fruit he told them that it would make them like God.
They could become gods themselves. That was their desire when they ate of the
fruit.
It does not matter how close a people are to God. Idolatry
is always present whether the people are aware of it or not. After God had
freed the Jewish people from pharaoh they made a golden calf to worship.
Idolatry is alive and well and taking on new forms today. God made me with
blonde hair and blue eyes but I can change both of those if I am not happy with
what he gave me. Today, a person can even change the appearance of their gender
through hormone therapy and reassignment surgery. We no longer give the glory
of creation to God but put ourselves first by choosing that which appeals to us
instead.
Sometimes idolatry comes in forms so common we never even
notice it. On Sundays during football season there will always be people
showing off their pride for their favorite team by proudly wearing their
jerseys to Mass. Seems innocent enough but we gather at Mass to worship God, not our
favorite teams. Many of us plan our entire Sunday around, not our worship of
God, rest, or communion with our families, but a sporting event. The purpose
for which the Sabbath was created is put second to our love for a game, a team,
or one of its members. It may not be Idolatry with a capital I but it is
idolatry just the same. Think of it along the same lines as mortal and venial
sin. Venial sins build upon themselves and make it much easier to make the jump
to mortal sin.
I am going to steal from a homily my pastor gave a few weeks
ago. Close your eyes and try to imagine what heaven is like. Are you in a
beautiful place? Are you surrounded by all of your loved ones that have passed
on before you? Are you in great health, looking the best you have ever have? Are
you at a banquet with all of your favorite foods? What do you see when you
think of heaven?
No open your eyes and remember what you saw in your vision
of heaven. Look around it. Did you see Jesus there with you among the beauty
and family? If you didn’t see Jesus in your vision of heaven you were not in
heaven. No matter how beautiful your vision, without Christ you are in hell.
Jesus is heaven. Heaven is the place reserved for the most sacred union between
God and his children.
What do you place before God in your life? Where do you put
your desires over his? What reasons do you use to miss attending Mass? What idols do you worship?
