In one of his journals Thomas Merton made the following comments about idolatry. Although it was written during the height of the cold war, I think its central thought is still as relevant as ever.
"The great sin, the source of all other sins, is idolatry. And never has it been greater, more prevalent, than now. It is almost completely unrecognized-precisely because it is so overwhelming, total. It takes in everything. There is nothing else left. Fetishism of power, machines, possessions, medicine, sports, clothes, etc., all kept going by greed for money and power. The Bomb is only one accidental aspect of the cult. Indeed, the Bomb is not the worst. We should thankful for it as a sign, a revelation of what all the rest of our civilization points to: the self-immolation of man to his own greed and his own despair. And behind it all are the principalities and powers whom man serves in his idolatry. Christians are as deeply involved in this as everyone else.
This is clearly one of the most important and inescapable messages of the Bible: that unless man turns from his idols to God, he will destroy himself, or rather this idolatry will prove itself to be his destruction. (The idolater is already self-destroyed.) The other thing: man as a whole will not change. He will destroy himself. The Bible sees no other end to the story. But Christ has come to save from this destruction all who seek to be saved. In and through them He will recreate the world. By no means are we to interpret this to mean that enlightened ethics and polite good intentions are going to make technological society safe for man, and that the new creation will be in fact the technological paradise (plus a renewed liturgy!)."
As I read these words at the end of Holy Week, between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, I am struck by not only how true they are for my life and life in the early part of the 21st century, but how they also connect to the events of Holy Week.
As Merton points out, “idolatry” is “almost completely unrecognized-precisely because it is also so overwhelming, total.” It is “prevalent.” That statement might shock some of us. We recognize idolatry when we travel to certain third world countries, but not in our country. Besides we are a “Christian” nation. And even if don’t believe that, we are sophisticated, modern, enlightened people. We don’t need the words of the Psalmist or the Prophets to remind us how silly it is to worship an idol that is crafted from wood or stone. After all, those idols were made by someone and as a result are finite like us. They may have eyes but cannot see, ears but cannot hear, legs but have to be carried about, so the prophetic criticism goes. Certainly, we don’t have idols like that.
Merton talks about “fetishism.” A fetish is a thing that evokes irrational devotion or respect. We might also add awe and sacrifice – maybe a sacrifice of time, attention, and even money. And then he lists some of the fetishes or idols that really do occupy our modern life – power, machines/technology, possessions, medicine (and the avoidance of pain and suffering and death), sports, clothes. And then he adds “etc.” Now we know that we could add to that list – computer games, Ipods/Ipads, entertainment, food, popularity, even family and religion, for example. And then he says “all kept by greed for money and power….Christians are as deeply involved in this as everyone else.”
Ouch! That hurts. But as soon as I form my response, my defense, my “But…”. I know that it is true. There are things that I have elevated above by devotion to God and I know, in my more lucid moments, that in the grand scheme of things, these things are idols. There is nothing wrong with entertainment or clothes or technologies or possessions in themselves. They can be received as good gifts of God’s creation. But when I begin to crave them or pursue them or fixate my attention and resources on them above my relationship with God, they have become idols because they are requiring from me that allegiance and devotion that only God deserves and can require.
I believe there is a connection here with the events of Holy Week and especially the Cross. Jesus was no prude or killjoy. He knew how to party and have a good time. He knew how to enjoy the rich bounty of the earth and especially the joy of relationships. But Jesus refused to put any of this before his commitment to doing the will of God, and frankly because of that, he was rejected and put to death. On Palm Sunday, the people acclaim Jesus as the Messiah, the one who would usher in the golden age of God’s kingdom which in many ways in the Old Testament and in popular piety was seen in striking political and physical terms. But Jesus rejected those understandings and as it became clear to the crowd that Jesus wasn’t going to confirm their fetishes, they rejected him. But Jesus hadn’t changed. He was consistent throughout his life. That doesn’t mean that he wasn’t tempted to try another way, but Jesus knew that only faithfulness and devotion to the vision that God had given him and to the relationship he enjoyed with the Father would ultimately satisfy. So Jesus rejects the allure of power, of possession, of popularity and material security, because he found his security and happiness and contentment and fulfillment in God. This even leads Jesus to say some shocking things about family relationships and religious traditions (e.g. Mark 3:31-35; Matthew 9:16-17; Mark 7:1-22; John 4:23-24).
And so because Jesus rejected the idolatry of his time and of his people, he goes to the Cross.
Merton also reminds us that we all have a choice here. We can continue in our idolatry, even if we dress it up in “Christian” terms, or turn to Christ. “This is clearly one of the most important and inescapable messages of the Bible,” Merton writes, “that unless man turns from his idols to God, he will destroy himself, or rather this idolatry will prove itself to be his destruction….The Bible sees no other end to the story. But Christ has come to save from this destruction all who seek to be saved.”
“All who SEEK to be saved.” We have a choice. The Cross and the resurrection call us to reject our idols and to find our life in God; to present to God our highest devotion and wholehearted love. That is the invitation of Good Friday and Easter – that in embracing Christ we become new creations.
Maybe as we approach Easter, we might want to stop and reflect on what idols might be a part of our lives. Here are some questions to think about:
1. What prevents me from offering to God my wholehearted love? Am I honest about my known faults and obsessions? Am I willing to change them? Are there areas of my life where I have given in to pressures and temptations that have gradually overtaken me? Do I use my tongue to criticize or judge others, to gossip or exaggerate? In what ways do my words bring or not bring praise to God and God’s creation?
2. Can I name the “idols” I have erected so far in my life? Do I allow the media or other people to distract me from loving God above all things? Do I have the courage to remove these false gods from my life, to smash these idols into pieces?
3. What areas of my life are not yet under the guidance, and control of Jesus and his Holy Spirit?
4. Who is there that I know that can help me to be more accountable and to grow more like Christ?
Easter Blessings.
