Reflection - Idols II

By Steve Hall

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041721.cfm
Acts 6:1-7
John 6:16-21

NOTE: Just so the context of this reflection is clear, it should be understood that this is a continuation of what was begun last week.

At that time, the pre-eminence of the first Commandment was the subject of consideration. “I am the Lord your God; you shall have no other gods before me.”

Not only is this instruction a prerequisite for understanding the significance of the other nine commandments, it is also a prerequisite for determining a morality which is more than mere social convention, for any ‘morality’ based originating in mankind is nothing more than social convention. These things being true, it seems useful to explore the possible place of idols in our own lives.

We deceive ourselves if we believe that modern idols are limited to the commonly mentioned money, power, and prestige. These may be the usual suspects; they may even be the most guilty of suspects. But evil is more devious than to rely on the obvious.

Golden statues before which we bow and burn incense may well be absent from our homes. A desire for money, power or prestige may find us indifferent or at least content with where we are. In reality, however, any practice, custom or belief which is viewed as capable of providing security or prosperity is suspect. Consider here the words of the Psalm:

“A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save.” (Psalm 33:16-17)

Even in the Psalmist’s day God’s words were needed to remind people of the false gods of power and technology. Salvation, he says, does not come from the power of a great army or great strength. Neither does it come from the might of the war horse, whose use in battle was the most advanced technology of the time. From time to time in the Old Testament Israel or Judah would follow the logic of alliances rather than the directives of the prophets. Inevitably the alliances failed their intended purpose. Being clever in the affairs of men was unreliable as well.

Historians blame the fall of the Roman Empire on many things. It was an overextended empire. It was the invasion of barbaric hordes. It was the corruption of those in charge. It was this new, non-traditional Christian Faith. Only the ignorant, however, would blame it on the military might of Christians or the technological superiority of a community focused on the Second Coming.

In the battle of Lepanto in 1571, the Christian nations of Europe organized a combined naval fleet to confront the aggressive Ottoman Empire. When the naval battle was over and the Christian coalition had won, victory was not credited to the cooperating nations, to the skills of their naval commanders or to the superiority of the European ships and guns. Rather, the credit was given to the Virgin Mary whose intercession had been invoked by those on land praying the rosary, the same Virgin whose image was carried by the ships of the fleet.

The old mantra: ‘God helps those who help themselves.’ probably applies to our national attitude toward defense. But it would seem that the ‘self-help’ part has achieved a preeminent status of its own. It’s a major section of our American psychic library. We have forgotten the words of the Psalmist. We have forgotten that neither a great army, nor a warrior’s strength nor modern technology are sufficient for victory. Above all else we need the help that comes in the name of the Lord, the one who made heaven and earth. Salvation in all its forms comes from God.

The self-empowering attitude is common in our approach to problems of all types. It comes to mind here in the matter of national defense only because of the text quoted from the Psalm. In fact, it is also underpins thinking in both the politics and social issues of the day. With the ‘right’ President, with the ‘right’ agenda, with the ‘right’ adjustments to the Constitution, with the ‘right’ governing philosophy, with the ‘right’ laws, with the ‘right’ racial attitudes, with the ‘right’ distribution of wealth . . . Etc., etc., etc., all our problems could be, would be solved. Are these elusive ideals not idols? Just listen to the words of a so-called Christian minister and determine whether or not we have idols: "Whether you are Christian or not, through a commitment to helping others we are able to save ourselves." Really! This is a far cry from the belief established in the faith of four thousand years. Power and technology and proper thinking are the framework for our modern idol; and we ourselves are the driving force for their creation. What we desperately need to hear are the words spoken by Isaiah:

‘Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
"Be strong, fear not!
Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God.
He will come and save you."’ (Isaiah 35:4)

The issue is not a new one. It’s as old as mankind.

“God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.' "
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, and he ate.” (Genesis 3:3, 6)

The issue is a human constant. We will be wise. We will write the rules. We will be gods. So much for “having no strange gods before me.”