Norman Podhoretz has written a scholarly (dry) book on THE PROPHETS. He describes the mission of the Old Testament Prophets –including Moses! — as waging war against “an enemy as insidious and seductive as he was cruel and evil: the enemy they knew as idolatry.” (page 2)….”this enemy keeps coming back under different names and in mutated forms that are not always easy to recognize as his.” The scriptures many of us will be studying this weekend address this idolatrous battle.
“Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food….listen, so that you may live.” says Isaiah 55:2-3. Long before the days of Empty Calories, this prophet appealed to our habits as consumers: why waste the essence of your worth on this year’s fad-idol, which will be out of style by NEXT year? Anticipating Lent, he spoke of responsible choices and care of our resources.
St. Paul harangues the Corinthian church, warning against pious complacency: “Do not become idolaters as some of [the ancient Hebrews] did…..So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall.” (I Corinthians 10: 7,12) Please note that these warnings are addressed to the Whole Community, as well as applied to individuals thereof! And what makes you think you’re so special? “No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone….with the testing [God] will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” (v.13) Ah, now that IS Good News!
Jesus is directly connected to the prophetic tradition, often wounding before healing. St. Luke remembers his examples of Jewish worshipers massacred by governmental soldiers; and of innocent bystanders killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them — evidently current events. Those folks were no worse than others, he said, but if you don’t repent of your complacent idolatry you won’t have any better luck! He then begins the healing process with the parable of the unproductive fig tree and the Gardener who intercedes on its behalf: one more year, one more time… (but the fig tree is expected to ultimately live up to its potential!) You can read this in Luke 13:1-9.
It’s hard for me to admit my idols; but I have lots of distractions from citizenship in God’s Kingdom. Well-fed, sheltered in my warm study against the winds of late winter, and sated with anthems of William Boyce, it’s easy to use holy-talk. Without these idols, would my heart be as eager in devotion??
God Bless Us, Every One! H B King
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