Idols

Homily for Saturday of the Fifth Week in Lent

The two kingdoms of which we hear in the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel refer to the political and religious division between the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. What had started as a rebellion against the Davidic Kingdom quickly became a national apostasy. To reinforce his own position and keep his people from worshiping at the temple in the Kingdom of Judah, King Jeroboam of Israel built golden calves for the people to worship. Ultimately the division and unfaithfulness of both kingdoms led to their destruction and dispersal at the hands of the Assyria and Babylon.

Idols divide. It was these idols that divided the nation of Israel, the Kingdom of David, and the families and people within them. When we create and worship idols – people, money, material wealth, my personal schedule, security, pride, or intellect – we become divided from one another and separated from God. As Jeremiah reminds the people in the Book of Baruch, idols can’t defend or protect themselves. We have to do that for them.

By contrast, Jesus came to gather into one all the dispersed children of God. By following his example, we can overcome our idols and the fear and division they produce. Jesus did not cling to anything other than the Father; in the ultimate act of love and surrender, Jesus laid down his life and forgave those who put him to death. The riches, power, and pride of the world had no power over him. By following his example, we can become free for love and unity.

Jesus left behind men and women who established the church in order to gather the people into one. He gave us the Eucharist so that we, when we receive Communion, would be united to him. Our union with Jesus in the church and in the Eucharist unites us to one another. While idols produce division and conflict, worship of the true God fosters unity among us and allows God’s grace to heal us.