Homily: February 14, Fifth Saturday in Ordinary Time (Causing to sin)

 “You have been going up to Jerusalem long enough. Here is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.”

Today’s first reading takes us back to the time of King Jeroboam. He was afraid that his people would keep going to Jerusalem and finally lose their loyalty to him, thus he made two golden calves and told the people: “Here is your god.”

Jeroboam committed two serious sins. First, he created false gods.

Second, he led others into sin, to worship what was lifeless and false, and to believe that this false god brought them out of Egypt.

Are those two golden calves evil?

If you go to parts of North India, you will see random cows roaming freely on the roads. Any car driving near must stop and give way to these cows, even if it meant waiting some time for them to slowly move out of the way. Causing harm or injury to a cow will lead to serious legal consequences. In fact, if you slaughter a cow, you might end up in prison. because cows are considered sacred in the Hindu religion. They are treated with deep reverence, regarded as divine. In the Hindu temples, you will see many statues of cows, worshipped by devotees.

But down south in Kerala, my hometown, things were different. I remember during church celebrations or picnics, we used to slaughter cows or buffalos for a big meal. My Muslim and Hindu friends would even join in for the feasting with much joy. These animals were food for us. Delicious food.

Back to Jeroboam’s golden calves. The two statues did not represent any real god, he knew it, but he created it, because of his own insecurity and attempt to manipulate the people. He created it to draw people away from Jerusalem, where they were worshipping the real and true God.

The calves were not evil, but Jeroboam’s intentions were.

Jesus warns us sternly: “Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur.”

This reading invites us to seriously examine ourselves.

We may not have golden calves, but do we have idols that cause us to sin, to turn away from God?

Anything that takes centerstage in our lives, that we focus our energy, time and interest in - power, status, money, pride, comfort - can quietly become an idol, when it takes our eyes away from God, when it turns our heart to our own selfish desires and wants.

And more seriously, do we model this lifestyle for others to follow? Our family, children, friends?

Jeroboam’s sin did not affect himself only. It misled an entire nation. His kingdom eventually collapsed, and his people were scattered in exile, never to return.

Scripture reminds us that sin - especially public sin - has consequences beyond the immediate, consequences which can affect generations.

So let us examine ourselves honestly and ask the Holy Spirit for the grace of vigilance. For the grace to keep God always in our focus, to center our lives on His Word, to live with integrity to His teachings, to be careful not only with how we live, but also to how we influence others to live.

Amen.