He begins with several examples to make his point. As a seminarian, he remembers the earth soccer field turned into a grass field. After the change, a fence went around the field waiting for the grass to grow. They finally got permission but they were not to use soccer shoes. Because of the number of accidents they allowed the soccer shoes and the grass soccer field returned to an earth field.
They were told to end the Sunday Mass within an hour. The choir members found it difficult to meet during the week so they wanted to meet after the 10:30 am Mass on Sundays. The writer asks why are they practicing in the first place?
Often we make the means more important than the end. We put the cart before the horse. The playing field is for the students and not the students for the playing field. The choir is for the Mass and not the Mass for the choir. Studies are to help students why do we have so many overcome by pressure and no desire to live? Why do persons become slaves of money, citizens sacrificed for the nation?
When the means become the end we have a case of what we call idolatry. This was often seen in the Old Testament when the goal of one's actions was hidden by the means and often replaced by the means. We saw this in the temptation of Jesus at the beginning of his public life. Material goods, power, and prestige take the place of God. We are living in a time where this is common practice.
What is the reason for mixing up means and end? The writer sees two reasons: first one's desire is projected onto the means and seen as an end. The second is the means are so attractive they hide the purpose.
Idols are the essence of desire. Overcome with the desire for gain, material goods are no longer a means to live a good life but an end in themselves. Power is no longer to help others but to rule over others; honors not a light to the world but of a person's worth. Jesus overcame idols by carrying out the will of God.
Idols always glitter and attract. It's not the finger pointing towards the moon that should get our attention but suppose the finger was decorated with jewels what would grab our attention?
To free ourselves from idol worship it's not just distancing ourselves from the idol but obedience to God and humility. This brings to mind sacraments. Unlike idols, the means to fully reveal the original purpose is nothing other than the sacraments! There are typically seven sacraments in our church, but in fact, everything that reveals God or his grace can be called a sacrament. The opposite of idolatry can be the sacramental life.
But not only the seven sacraments but all of creation can be seen as a sacrament and lead us to God. Perhaps the reason why many people in this world do not recognize God and are in idolatry is that we do not live the sacramental life in which God is revealed.
We should seriously reflect on whether our church has now become an idol rather than a sacrament, just as when the finger adorned with jewels prevents us from seeing the moon.
