THURSDAY IN THE FOURTH WEEK OF LENT

As I considered today’s readings, my initial feeling was one of confusion. Why would God’s people, whom He had just freed from slavery, be so blatantly disrespectful by worshiping a molten calf, a clearly unworthy idol? It makes no sense at all. Wouldn’t at least one person stand up and object?

But, then, it hit me: isn’t this something that I, along with so many of God’s people, struggle with every day? Our phones, technology, news, celebrities, professional athletes and a million other distracting indulgences are our molten calves. They obscure our vision, so that we do not see the simple beauty of what is right there in front of us, the miraculous gift of God and His unwavering love for each of us. We internally battle with not only worshiping unworthy idols, but also with losing ourselves in the group, of not standing up for what we know to be right. Our need to belong is strong, sometimes overpowering.

We all, like God’s people in the first reading, need to remember the gift of God’s love, appreciate it and cherish it. We are reassured of God’s love by His ultimate forgiveness at the end of the reading. During this reflective time of Lent, I plan to take more time to recognize God in my everyday life and try and show deeper gratitude for all I have been given.