Pope BenedictXVI: Respond to the Lord with Absolute and Total Love

God desires to help us discover the way of truth, in which we are transformed and set free

God desires to help us discover the way of truth, in which we are transformed and set free

"Human life finds its unity in the adoration of the one God. The commandment to worship the Lord alone integrates man and saves him from an endless disintegration" (CCC 2114). Through his intercession, "Elijah asked God what God himself wished to do: to show himself in all his mercy, faithful to his nature as Lord of life Who forgives, converts and transforms" -- Pope Benedict XVI

VATICAN CITY (Catholic Online) -- During his general audience held in St. Peter's square on Wednesday, Pope Benedict continued his catechesis on prayer, reflecting on the prophet Elijah "whom God sent to bring the people to conversion."

The Pope explained how "upon Mount Carmel Elijah revealed himself in all his power as intercessor when, before the whole of Israel, he prayed to the Lord to show Himself and convert people's hearts.

"The contest between Elijah and the followers of Baal -- which was, in fact, a contest between the Lord of Israel, God of salvation and life, and a mute and ineffective idol which can do nothing for either good or evil -- also marked the beginning of a confrontation between two completely different ways to address God and to pray." The oblations of the prophets of Baal "revealed only the illusory reality of the idol . . . which closed people in the confines of a desperate search for self."

On the other hand, Elijah "called on the people to come closer, involving them in his actions and his prayer. . . . The prophet built an alter using 'twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob,' (1 Kings 18:31) . . .  to represent all Israel. . . . Elijah then addressed the Lord calling Him Lord of the fathers, thus implicitly recalling the divine promises and the history of choice and alliance which had indissolubly united the Lord to His people."

Elijah's request "was that the people might finally and fully come to know and understand who their God is, and make the decisive decision to follow only Him. Only in this way could God be recognized as Absolute and Transcendent." Only in this way would it be clear that "no other gods could be placed at His side, as this would deny His absoluteness and relativize Him."

Contemporary Idolatry

Our Holy Father's words offer us an opportunity to reflect on idolatry in contemporary society. Some are under the incorrect impression that idolatry is rather rare; for it is often thought that idolatry refers strictly to the false pagan worship of an imagined deity, as was the case with the followers of Baal. However, as The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, idolatry "remains a constant temptation to faith," and "consists in divinizing what is not God" (2113).

Further, the Catechism goes on to explain that not only does man commit idolatry whenever he gives to a creature the honor due to God alone, but also when he venerates and reveres "power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc.," in place of God (Ibid.). It takes only a few moments of reflection to realize that idolatry is not at all uncommon in our society.

We are familiar with the powerful influences of secularism and relativism which unceasingly labor to erode the moral shores of Christianity in the West. One of the major forces behind this erosion is a phenomenon scholastic tradition has labeled as "intellectual custom," which refers to the tendency men have of adopting for themselves particular customs and habits to which they have been frequently exposed. For instance, in hearing something said again and again, by repeated exposure to the actions and attitudes of others, the intellect often adopts these things as true and good, when in fact they might not be so.

The often repeated false notions of secularist culture can have great affect on the attitudes of Christians. There are many examples: the manner in which women and men are portrayed in the media and entertainment industries; the inordinate value which is placed on financial status and a comfortable lifestyle; the incessant focus on educational pragmatism, which incorrectly interprets a proper education as having to do with temporal matters only; and the attitude of religious indifferentism which views the worship of God as an entirely subjective endeavor -- in effect, self is worshipped over and above God.

Put simply, idolatry occurs whenever God is relegated below anything whatsoever. We can see how the above examples all lead directly toward idolatry. It is important to be especially mindful of the effects of intellectual custom on our children. It is all too easy for the unwary to become poisoned by the idolatrous influences found in secularist society. The remedy is, of course, found in turning to God with sincere repentance, with total resolve and devotion, bringing before the Father our true self who is in constant need of the Other, and who cannot exist in isolation of his loving presence and sustainment.

Our Holy Father explained how "believers must respond to the absoluteness of God with absolute and total love, a love involving all their lives, their energies, their hearts."

God Desires To Help Us Discover The Way Of Truth

Pope Benedict noted that "in his intercession, Elijah asked of God what God Himself wished to do: to show Himself in all His mercy, faithful to His nature as Lord of life Who forgives, converts and transforms.

"The Lord responded unequivocally, not only burning the offering but even consuming all the water that had been poured around the altar. Israel could no longer doubt: divine mercy had responded to its weakness, to its doubts, to its lack of faith. Now Baal, the vain idol, was beaten and the people, who seemed lost, had rediscovered the way of truth, they had rediscovered themselves."

The Holy Father concluded by reflecting on how the story of Elijah applies to our lives today: "Firstly," he said, "is the priority of the first commandment of God's Law: having no god but God. When God disappears man falls into slavery, into idolatry, as has happened in our time under totalitarian regimes and with the various forms of nihilism which make man dependent on idols and idolatry, which enslave.

"Secondly, the main objective of prayer is conversion: the fire of God which transforms our hearts and makes us capable of seeing God and living for Him and for others.

"Thirdly, the Church Fathers tell us that this story is . . . a foretaste of the future, which is Christ. It is a step on the journey towards Christ" (qtd. from Vatican Information Service).

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F. K. Bartels is a Catholic writer who knows his Catholic Faith is one of the greatest gifts a man could ever have. He is a contributing writer for Catholic Online. Visit him also at catholicpathways.com

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