Word to the Wise
Saturday, August 14, 2021 - Saturday in the 19th Week in Ordinary Time
[Josh 24:14-29 and Matt 19:13-15]"Fear the Lord and serve him completely and sincerely. Cast out the gods your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." [Joshua]
AUGUST 14 ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE ofm.conv.
The Israelites are now under the leadership of Joshua, the successor to Moses. The Exodus and desert period with its covenant are behind them. Joshua is leading them into "the promised land." It is clear, however, that the religious covenant unity that existed under Moses was not a stable one since Joshua refers to other divinities that seemed to have crept into the lives of the people. Joshua has led them into the promised land, but they are not a religiously united people. So, he declares an assembly and gives a long speech setting forth the narrative of God's deliverance of the people from their enemies. There cannot be any other divinities competing with the Lord. So, Joshua draws "a line in the sand: As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
I have seen Joshua's words on plaques and T-shirts! The words are a declaration of personal faith. However, history shows that the very people who declare themselves with Joshua would time and again stray toward "gods" that suited their appetites or day to day experiences. The same is true in our own time. We may be loath to admit it, but there are plenty of "gods" that clamor for our loyalty and devotion: political beliefs, power, money, addictions of all kinds, social life, careers.... We may find ourselves creating our own "golden calves" that we worship without realizing how these conflict with love of God and neighbor. If we stand with Joshua, we have to rid ourselves of anything that competes with our faith in God. AMEN