What is your golden calf?: Daily Mass Homily--Monday, July 27th, 2015

(Listen to this homily here).

            One of the first modern-day examples I think about when I ponder the Golden Calf incident is the trophy presentation at major sporting events.  Now don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy sports and don’t want to condemn all athletes and fans of idol worship.  But seeing thousands of people—millions over television—rejoicing over a trophy, be it the Stanley Cup, Superbowl, World Series or NBA Finals, must be the closest example to the Golden Calf.

            What is your golden calf?  What is that hidden pleasure, obsession or sin you turn to when it seems like God is far away (as Moses was gone 40 days on the mountain)?

            Now the key question—do you take responsibility for such sin?

            Listen again to Aaron’s ridiculous statement after the people demanded a god to worship: “…I told them, ‘Let anyone who has gold jewelry take it off.’  They gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and this calf came out.”  Really?  Melted gold just happened to form a golden calf?  Uh, that’s not how it works, Aaron!

            The blame game and irresponsibility for sin has been consistent since the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve.  It is seen again in Aaron’s not taking responsibility for forming an idol.

            May we recognize the ways in which we place stuff before God and take responsibility for these sins, especially in the sacrament of Confession.