Readings: Exodus 32:7-14, Ps. 106:19-23, John 5:31-47
“Go down; for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves; they have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them; they have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it.” (Exodus 32:7-8)
Just as the people of Israel rejected God and pressurized Aaron to fashion a golden calf that they could see, modern man today continues to reject God in exchange for the worship of the material things of this world.
To some extent, we are not different from the Israelites who turned their most valuable possessions, gold ornaments into a god. For some today, their golden calf is their expensive car (or fleet of cars), for others, it is their wardrobe containing all kinds of shoes, clothes, wristwatches, and many items that they never use but adore daily.
Whatever possession you have that you do not need and at the same time, cannot give away is an idol that you are keeping. Seeing these idols every day may give you a sense of security but they cannot save you nor can they answer prayers.
As a stamp of their rejection of God, the people of Israel got up to engage in all kinds of bodily corruption; they did the very things that were totally against their religion. In the same way, at the height of our rejection of God is a rejection of morality in our society. Take a look at our modern-day fashion, our music, and our movies and one cannot but wonder if we are still a Christian society.
Child of God, repent from the worship of idols. Repent from the worship of pleasure. Flee from sexual immorality. Each time we indulge in the sins of the flesh, we are not different from the children of Israel and by so doing we attract the wrath of God.
As Moses pleaded for the Israelites, Jesus explains in today’s Gospel passage that He pleads to God on our behalf. No matter what your past has been, you can return today to the true worship of God. Do not procrastinate your repentance.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, may I not be carried away by the multitude who have rejected you in our world today. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of the 4th week of Lent, Bible Study: Exodus 32:7-14, Ps. 106:19-23, John 5:31-47).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu