Keep yourself from idols (Saturday after Epiphany)

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Introduction

Knowledge is power. The more we know about Jesus, the better we become informed and empowered to relate well with Him and with creation. 


Reflection

In the writings of St John (particularly in his gospel and letters), we see how he progressively tries to work up and piece together a theology of the true identity of Jesus. We may ask, “All these explanations or clarifications about the identity of Jesus, of what relevance are they to us?”


The truth is that if we do not have sufficient knowledge or understanding of who someone is, we may not have a better relationship with the person. And that's why friendship/relationship becomes stronger when there's openness and trust. Even among those preparing for a life-long relationship such as marriage, KNOWLEDGE-OF-THE-OTHER is very important. Relationship thrives in an atmosphere of openness and knowledge. When everything is hidden in a relationship, then we create room for deception, suspicion, mistrust and consequent collapse or breakup. A relationship built on deception cannot go far and can never be mutually profitable. So, there is need for us to have a BETTER KNOWLEDGE of Jesus so that we can profit more from our relationship with Him.


Of recent, St John established that Jesus is the Son of God; in other words, that He is God. And the implication is very obvious: if we believe that He is the Son of God (or that He is God), then we can overcome the “world” and we can also know that we have eternal life.


Another implication of believing that Jesus is the son of God (which St John has pointed out) is that “we will have a certain confidence in Him that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us” (1 Jn. 5:14).


St John goes further to point out another implication of believing that Jesus is the Son of God: if we believe in Jesus the Son of God, then we know that we are born of God and “anyone born of God does not sin”. When I am CERTAIN, CONSCIOUS and FULLY CONVINCED that I am born of God and that I have a serious relationship with Jesus, this knowledge will certainly help to keep me away from sin. On the basis of the above, St John finally remarks, "Little children, keep yourselves from IDOLS" (1 Jn. 5:21).


What is an IDOL? An IDOL is a false representation of something else. An idol is anything or anybody that presents himself/herself/itself or is presented as an object of extreme devotion. Knowledge of who Jesus is will help us understand who we are and who we are not; and thus, we will have no reason to claim what or who we are not. Sin knocks at our doors when we become dangerously desirous to IDOLIZE ourselves: striving to become who/what we are not or CANNOT become. Sin knocks at our doors when we strive to present ourselves as idols in order to become objects of extreme devotion/adoration.


John the Baptist avoided that temptation of idolizing himself: he said, “I'm not the Messiah; He must increase, but I must decrease” (cf. Jn. 3:28.30). May we continue to grow in knowledge of Jesus so that we can know ourselves better and consequently avoid the temptation of idolizing ourselves, claiming to be what we are not.


Prayer:

Lord Jesus, may we know you better and be humble enough to approach you for help! You are the Savior, we are in need of your salvation! You must increase, we must decrease, Amen!


Have a restful weekend! 



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