Reflection - Idols VI

By Steve Hall

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051521.cfm
Acts 18:23-28
John 16:23b-28

For the past several weeks my reflections have been focused on aspects and consequences of the first commandment: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Obviously, that doesn’t leave much room for other gods. Generally speaking, however, other gods are not our concern — though they probably should be; I’ll come back to that in a minute. The truths implied in the first commandment are awesome. Recall the words of the responsorial Psalm.

“All you peoples, clap your hands;
    shout to God with cries of gladness.
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
    is the great king over all the earth.
For king of all the earth is God;
    sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
    God sits upon his holy throne.
The princes of the peoples are gathered together
    with the people of the God of Abraham.
For God’s are the guardians of the earth;
    he is supreme.“

Consider also the fact that without that first commandment the others might just as well not exist. If God is not supreme in our hearts, souls and minds, if God is not the one before whom there is no other, it is easy to minimize, joke about, dis-respect and dishonor Him in our various forms of conversation. There is a sound reason why the Old Testament Jews refrained from uttering God’s name.

If God is not supreme in our hearts, souls and mind it is easy to choose the things of earth, the things of society or the things we prefer as the gods we would pursue. It really isn’t possible to have God and gods existing together. Yet, without that singular primacy which belongs to God alone being rooted deep within, alternatives will readily present themselves.

Moreover, without the First the other seven commandments become vestigial artifacts from a primitive time to be maintained only so long as society finds them useful. Just look at how many have already been culturally/socially modified or just plain dumped. The first commandment cannot be overrated. In no way can it’s importance be considered secondary. Our place in the order of things, the purpose of our existence, the very reason for our being is tied to this Commandment.

To rephrase George Orwell: All commandments are created equal. But One is more equal than the others.

It occurs to me, however, that we have, to a greater or lesser degree, been misguided or mislead. Because of circumstance or culture or something unknown, the emphases in our spiritual formation has largely been on rules, regulations and commandments. The cart has been placed before the horse. What do you recall from your childhood religious training? Maybe mine was unique — or possibly just too ancient. But what stands out most prominent in my memory were questions pertaining to Commandments, either those of God or those of the Church. What are these commandments? And what is forbidden by each.

The very focus on sin has erroneously suggested that the avoidance of any thought, word, action or omission contrary to the law of God is prime in the development of a healthy spiritually. Not so! The greatest of the commandments is the first: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” What does that mean? Simply put it means:

• Know your place.
• Give praise where praise is due.
• Live as if you expect God to be God, keeping his promises of protection, provision and presence.

The goal of Christianity is not to root out sin but to overcome the separation from God which has been mankind’s albatross, our plague since the time of Adam. This is not primarily accomplished through an attentiveness to our sinfulness but through an attentiveness to God’s holiness. Paul says as much when he proclaims that his goal is to know Christ Jesus, and him crucified. Sin is characterized by its incompatibility with God; that is why John would teach that If any one says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar” (1 John 4:20)

It’s hard to let God be God even when we verbally and mentally acknowledge his place in the universe and potentially in our lives. He has promised protection from our enemies and the provisions we need to serve him:. But . . . We’d rather do it ourselves. Escaping our fears and freeing ourselves from our own grasp at independence are difficult to achieve. Like Adam we are seduced by the possibility of becoming like gods. But there is only one.