I have known many great priests in my life. They brought energy and insight into their congregations. Their leadership inspired the ministries in the parish and bolstered or inspired the faith of parishoners. Many were skilled homilists who could take Scripture and make it applicable to today. Relatable. And as a consequence we see these men of God drawing a large following. I believe the same is true in Protestant Churches. Where the charisma of the pastor causes a surge in the membership of the Church. It is hard not to follow a good leader.
But what then happens when that priest is reassigned by the Bishop to another parish. Or if a pastor at a Protestant Church decides to retire or change careers. For those parishioners who are strongly aligned with the individual priest or pastor will often either follow the individual to their new parish or Church or fall away completely from the faith. Their faith depended heavily on the persona of the individual. It reminds me of Jesus’ parable of the sower of the seed when it is sown on rocky ground. The seed takes root quickly but withers and dies in the sun since it has little root.
In today’s first reading from 2nd Chronicles we hear the story of King Joash of Judah. Joash became king at the ripe old age of seven. He ascended to the throne through the aid and protection of a priest named Jehoiada. And this priest became a close and trusted advisor of King Joash. So much so that Joash was inspired to rebuild the Lord’s temple under Jejoiada’s direction. Joash had done all that was right in God’s sight.
But the priest Jehoiada died leaving Joash to the mercy of unscrupulous advisors and princes. The nation fell into worship of pagan gods and let the Lord’s temple fall into ruin. And when Jehoiada’s son, Zechariah, began to point out that God’s punishment was imminent due to their unbelief, the King had him stoned to death. Disfavor fell upon Joash, and Jerusalem was overrun by the Arameans. Joash was assassinated by his servants in revenge for his murder of Zechariah.
Paul warns of the worship of human beings in these verses from 1 Corinthians:
What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas“; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?
Joash’s faith was grounded in Jehoiada. Not in God. So when Jehoiada died, so did Joash’s faith. Who do we base our faith in? In a pastor? In the Church community we belong to? A social grouping at Church? The music ministry? Or is it to He who resides in the tabernacle? When our faith depends on the personality of men, rather than faith in God, we are subject to the worship of the created and not of the Creator. Turning mere mortals into gods and idols. And our faith, our eternity, like the seed in the path eaten up by birds or scorched by the sun.
