The Bible has a word for worship of such gods, it is called idolatry. Idolatry is a serious sin. Worshipping anything or anyone other than the one true God is idolatry. Idolatry is putting something else above God, whether it’s a physical object, a person, a desire, or even oneself.
The sin of idolatry as defined in the Catechism involves giving worship, honor, or reverence to anything other than the one true God. It’s not limited to worshiping physical idols or statues; it encompasses the divinization of any creature, including concepts, powers, or even human creations. Essentially, idolatry occurs when a person transfers their innate understanding of God to something other than God.
The first commandment forbids honoring gods other than the one Lord who has revealed himself to his people. Idolatry remains a constant temptation to faith. Many martyrs died for not adoring “the Beast “refusing even to simulate such worship. Idolatry rejects the unique Lordship of God; it is therefore incompatible with communion with God. The stories in Judges often mirror our own lives. We too tend to ignore God more in time of success than of failure.
In the gospel we read the reaction of the rich man who loved his possessions instead of eternal life. The young rich man refused and left Jesus’s present sad. This was the only person mentioned in the Bible who encountered Jesus and left sad. Let is try not to be like the rich foolish man.
The story of the rich young man calls for our own personal examination of conscience. Am I attached to my possessions? Do I used them, or do they used me? Do I control them, or do they control me? Who is the boss?
Let us seek true fulfillment in God rather than in worldly things.
Have a wonderful Week
