Day 17
Getting Rid of Idols
Reflection By: Ray Horan

You shall not have false gods before me. Exodus 20:3

As I reflect on the first of the Ten Commandments, I flashback thirty years to a high school theology class. Father Burchell, a friendly and knowledgeable teacher who had the knack for making teenagers see things in a different light, shared with the class what the Bible teaches on the first commandment: "You should not have false gods before Me". He then went on to say how ironic it was that in numerous towns and cities across the country that night, people from all backgrounds and walks of life would gather in parish halls or cafeterias to raise money for their respective parishes by playing a fun little game called bingo. He recalled how amusing it was to watch everyone prepare for the first game. He said before the first bingo number would be drawn, many players would rush to find their favorite seat and then carefully place in front of them their favorite lucky rabbit foot, pixie doll, or whatever trinket it was they had hoped would bring them an added measure of good luck or fortune that evening. It's ironic because it's in little simple things we do, day in and day out, things we don't even realize we're doing that draws us into worshiping false gods, gods that can control us instead of we controlling ourselves. Do we find ourselves saying things like "I have to have..", or "I can't do this until..", or "I'm afraid of.."? If so, we might ask: Where is our focus? Who do we trust? How strong is our faith?

Yes, even in simple thing like playing a bingo game, people would become upset before the game would even begin if they didn't get things "just right". In the game of life, do we get upset at little things too if they don't go our way? Are we idolizing the wrong things leading to false hopes and unfulfilling payoffs? Who is your source of inspiration and happiness? As I reflect on the scripture for today, I pray to God for strength, trust, and faith. I pray not to be caught up in being controlled by the trivial things or the significant things that can cause me to lose my focus or faith and trust in God. I also pray for everyone on this Lenten journey that they too find the inner peace and strength within themselves to live a life deeply respectful and trusting in one God.

Life can be fun..Relax..Have Faith..Trust in God..Enjoy the Journey!