My Golden Calves

Recently I was praying with the Gospel story, “The Rich Young Man”. I was hit with an overwhelming urge to reflect more personally with the words of Christ.

As the Gospel goes…

A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?”

He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

He asked him, “Which ones?”

And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill;you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?”

Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Matt 19:16-22

It was the last few words that stung a bit.

…he had many posessions.

Most Christians who are familiar with this scripture tend to focus on our more obvious posessions.

God knows that I have stuff I really don’t need: clothes and shoes that change with the seasons, electronic ‘toys’ like the VR I bought myself for Christmas, or books that have been recommended that I’m not sure if I’ll ever get around to reading.

I felt as if God was challenging me to call them out as idols.

In Elizabeth Scalia’s book, “Strange Gods“, she explains the idea of an idol: (I’m paraphrasing below.)

Consider the golden calf and the natural inclination to polish it, to make it shiny. You know you’ve done a good job when you can see your own reflection.

Whatever we’re polishing become a barrier (literally and figuratively) between us and God… and reflects ourselves rather than the Creator.

None of those things I mentioned (clothing, games, etc) are morally wrong (unless you include the Zombie game I have on my VR). But their attraction can cause them to become an idol.

Some questions I’m led to ask myself and share:

• When I head to the mall (or open the Shein app) to buy clothing, am I doing so because I am truly in need… or do I desire to wear the latest fast fashion to fit in or even stand out?
• When I purchase a book based on someone’s recommendation, am I doing so in order that they will look at me with a higher regard for my intellect?
• Do I post to social media because I have something to say that will inspire, bring joy, or glorify God. Or, do I post hoping for more likes, clicks, or subs?

Again, there is nothing wrong in pursuing knowledge, posting an image of a beautiful sunrise, or even replacing pieces in your wardrobe that no longer fit.

I was led to some quotes for a more balanced understanding:

The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

Proverbs 18:15

Every expression of true beauty can thus be acknowledged as a path leading to an encounter with the Lord Jesus…

Pope Francis

Finally, to my point of outgrown, tight clothing – all of us fluctuate in our body type as we mature. It is natural. That said…

Modesty protects the intimate center of the person. It means refusing to unveil what should remain hidden.

#2521, Catechism of the Catholic Church

If clothing, books, and sharing photos are amoral, then what’s the big deal?

The sin Jesus calls out, is not necessarily the items themselves, but our attachments to them.

New clothes in current fads – look at me

Posting selfies, checking likes – look at me.

Books purchased, never read – look at me.

Of course, the above examples are simplified and they are my personal idols. As I continue the reflection I can see that they stem from old wounds. It’s not an excuse, just an observation.

Other possessions I need to detach from:

• my cell phone and certain apps,
• relationships that don’t help me grow in holiness,
• wine, coffee, and unhealthy eating,
• media that feeds base desires or worldly ideals,
• ‘future thinking’ that removes God from the equation – not trusting in His providential care,
• scrolling through VRBO looking at rentals in Malta for a vacation in my dreams.

This list could go on and on. Suffice it to say, in so many ways I am that rich man.

Hopefully, I can remain steadfast in faith, detach myself of posessions/idols as I become aware of them, and not walk away sad like the rich young man.

With God’s grace I want to stand face to face with Jesus as “He looks at me and loves me.” (Mark’s version of the same story, Mk 10:20)

Please pray for me as I pray for you.