the sin of making up a religion
"This was a sin on the part of the house of Jeroboam for which it was to be cut off and destroyed from the earth." —1 Kings 13:34
One of the worst sins that can be committed is to make up our own religion. Jeroboam committed this sin, and we too are tempted to do this in many ways. How many people decide to reject certain teachings of the Lord and His Church? Isn't that making up one's own religion in part? How many Catholics ignore the Pope? Are they making a church without a pope, or are they making themselves to be popes? Isn't this making up another religion?
Many Christians keep their religion to themselves. They have made their religion a private matter. However, Jesus did not make His religion a private matter. He commanded us to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8), proclaim His good news from the housetops (Mt 10:27), and not to be ashamed of the gospel (Rm 1:16). Isn't a private religion a made-up religion?
Let's not make up religions; rather, let's make up with God. Let's repent of trying to make God and religion in our own image and likeness. In this year of the Great Jubilee, let us submit to God's religion, His kingdom, and His will.
Prayer: Father, teach me sweet submission.
Promise: "The people in the crowd ate until they had their fill; then they gathered up seven wicker baskets of leftovers. Those who had eaten numbered about four thousand." —Mk 8:8-9
Praise: Ron and Joan repented of making up their own minds concerning artificial birth control. Deciding to follow the Church completely, they are joyously expecting their fourth child.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, July 28, 1999
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 3, 1999