Readings:
Exodus 32:7-14
Psalm 106:19-23
John 5:31-47
How could they? How could the Israelites turn their backs on God after He rescued them from slavery in Egypt? Why build and worship a golden calf? Human beings have always been fascinated by what they can accomplish by the genius of their minds and the creation of their hands. Israel’s idolatry is a reflection of our tendencies as humans to obsess over what preoccupies our minds.
What is your golden calf? It is that thing which you are obsessed with—it is not necessarily bad in itself. Precisely because it occupies a great portion of your thoughts, consumes a lot of your time and controls your emotions and actions, it has become your golden calf. So, what is it? What are some of the usual suspects?
Money
Material goods
Relationships
Power and Fame (the ‘I won't blow’ syndrome)
What else do people obsess over? We do not all obsess over the same things. This is why you need to know yourself and the thoughts that occupy your mind. Luke 12:15 – “Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for a man's life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has more than he needs.” What then should occupy our minds? GOD ALONE. St. Teresa of Ávila – “He who possesses God lacks nothing: God alone suffices.” How then do we make God a part of our lives? God should not be just a part of your life. Your life is incomplete without Him. You need Him more than He needs you. Yet, He is the one who reaches out to you. John 3:16— God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son: everyone who believes in him has eternal life. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, God offers us eternal life and happiness, and this should be our preoccupation on earth. Mark 12:30-31 – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.”
God should be your ultimate concern. When He is at the centre of your life, everything else is seen in proper perspective—money, material goods, relationships and power. You will use your gifts to serve others just as Moses used his relationship with God to intercede for his people (Psalm 106:23) and John the Baptist became a witness for Christ (John 5:35). Your life can be much more than just a preoccupation with the passing things of this world if you unite your every conscious moment with God and use your gifts to serve Him and liberate others from sin and the works of darkness.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against you. I repent and ask for forgiveness in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord”. Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor/priest.
Prayer:
May God grant you the grace to serve Him and your neighbour with your gifts, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Help me Lord, to be who you have created me to be, to see things as You see them and live in such a way as to give glory to You in Jesus' name. Amen
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