Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Hosea
8:4-7.11-13; Matthew 9:32-38)
Hosea
prophesizes in the northern kingdom of Israel.
Neither the northern nor the southern kingdom is dedicated completely to
the Lord. But the northern kingdom is especially
unfaithful. As Hosea testified, the
people there make idols. Adding to the offense,
the people offer sacrifices to their idols on altars originally dedicated to
the Lord.
Humanity
has never abandoned worshipping idols.
There are always sports heroes and Hollywood starlets receiving
adulation. it was reported that one
person has attended over one hundred and fifty performances of a famous
rockstar. What could that performer sing
that is worth so much attention?
There is
nothing objectively wrong in following a favorite celebrity. It may be even edifying to rewatch the movies
of a Tom Hanks or Judi Dench. However, only
God deserves unconditional loyalty. He alone can bring fulfillment of all that
life promises.
