(Please read this Scripture passage first, before the homily.)
Israel was a luxuriant vine. The more abundant his fruit, the more shrines he built. The more shrines he built, the more sins he committed. Does this make sense?
Let us check this out. The more money I make, the more I have to do with it. The more I save it or spend it, the more money I have or the more things I have. The more things I have, the more distraction I have to keep me from following the Lord. Is it not the same with all of us?
They used to build high places because they looked upon hilltops and mountain tops as places closer to heaven. Now we prefer higher mounds of cash or bigger trucks because we tend to equate being loved as synonymous with having more or better things.
They built a shrine at Bethel and put a golden calf there. Bethel means House of God. The prophet called it Aven, or Beth-Aven, which means House of Destruction. We keep our golden things in vaults, banks or safes. Our wealth cannot save us. Where is our House of God or do we have a House of Destruction?
If we plant corn seed, we expect to have corn on the cob. If we plant soy beans, we expect to have a crop of soybeans. If we plant for ourselves justice, then we shall reap the fruit of goodness. It is time for us to become a luxurious plant of the Lord’s. It is time to give up our hoards of things we call wealth. It is time to seek the Lord and let the Lord rain down justice upon us. This makes sense.
The prophet spoke to his people in time of danger and sin. He continues to speak to us in our danger and sinfulness. His people then and his people now are much alike. We all tend to get caught up in things we build, in things that distract us, in things even that we worship in place of God. In the end, only what God builds will remain.