Of course, I believe in one and only one God. Why, then, this meditation?
It is not at all a matter of dogma but of morals. It is not a problem of doctrine but of practice. I, who in doctrine admit only one God, in practice, perhaps, cultivate a goodly number of idols, my petty welfare, my self-love, my vanity, my satisfaction sought in certain aversions, my too human thirst for success, and a score of others. In Pompeii one can see how the Roman houses were peopled with statues of numerous gods; each room had its own. In the house of my soul, are there not numerous side-chapels, places to offer a little incense to some false gods?
How can I reconcile this inconsistency - a very single-hearted service of God Most High, that I certainly wish to give, and my devotion, on the side, to a darling little idol?
We often read in the Acts of the Martyrs that the pagan judges said to the Christians: "Adore your God as much as you wish, but adore ours also." These valiant souls responded, "No, that is impossible, there is but one true God, there are no other gods; the worship of the Lord cannot be reconciled with homage paid to idols," and they threw the incense on the ground.
I will be vigilant for the little truancies that might creep into my single-hearted worship of the Lord. I shall get rid of them by purifying my intention. God alone! No compromise. I will repudiate all false gods irrevocably.
"My God, grant that I love only You - You alone."
_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
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