Note: On Fridays, you can find me at Your Daily Tripod, owned by my friend TonyD. A longer version of the post below appears there.
Let’s be honest. We’ve all worshipped another god at some time in our lives. Maybe it’s the god of money or power or prestige. Maybe it’s the god of parenthood or romantic love or something material, like our dream home or that fancy car. Maybe it’s the god of public opinion or being thought of as a subject matter expert or the go-to person for your ministry. Or maybe it’s the god of self-pity and self-indulgence.
It’s no surprise that this list is starting to sound like the capital sins. The Catechism terms pride, avarice, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, and sloth/acedia capital sins “because they engender other sins, other vices.”
The worship of other gods can often start out simple and well intentioned. After all, we need to be good parents and ministers. We need enough money to pay our bills. It’s nice to be appreciated by the boss and co-workers. But the problem begins when those desires begin to move ahead of God on our priority list.
As Matthew 13 notes, the seed that flourishes needs more than rich soil. It also needs someone who hears the word and understands it. While we may not always understand God’s ways, we all are smart enough to know when our desires begin to block what He wants. May we also be smart enough to go to Him for help as soon as we realize it’s happening.
