“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1st John 5:21)

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1st John 5:21)

Every one of us is created in the image and likeness of God. Thus, we were created to express and issue forth with His attributes of love, fellowship, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. And inside each of our bodies, God has created a tiny temple, an altar of worship, called the heart. Therefore, when we worship God, our heart becomes enflamed like a sacrificial altar – burning and yearning for God. But when we desire other things, that which is not “of God,” our heart is misled and fails to function properly. This is when the soul submits to the body and the physical self, over-whelms the spiritual.

The very first Commandment dictates that we shall love the Lord our God with all our heart and have no other gods before Him. Therefore, seeking anything other than “God” or considering anything more important than God becomes an idol – a false god; and there are many. Idols are not only little statues people bow down to; and idol is anything more important than God. People make idols of sex, drugs, rock & roll; sports, movies, television; people, places, things; money, wealth, haute couture, fine foods and wine…even our own base laissez-faire attitudes towards God and His Church means we choose to worship ourselves instead of the Lord!

Idols tend to dominate our lives, yet they never satisfy. This is why St. Augustine said, “Human hearts are restless until they find rest in God.”

Idolatry is a sin against God because choosing idols means He is “worthless” to us. It causes us to abandon Him, assault Him, deny His Greatness, as well as His Goodness. 

Therefore, with the Great Fast looming upon the horizon, let us be mindful that what we surround ourselves with often influences what, or who, we worship. Therefore, make every effort to renew your relationship with Christ and do your utmost to participate frequently in the Sacraments of the Church by going to church services regularly during this upcoming Holy Season.

Fr. John