Chapter 8: Idols

**Before I dive into this chapter, I've been meaning to mention how this book study has brought the Joyful mysteries of the Rosary to life for me!  I've always been one who needs a written devotional to focus my contemplation as I pray the Rosary, but Caryll Houselander has given me much to ponder during the mysteries of the annunciation, visitation, birth and search for the lost child of Jesus.  It's incredible!!

Picking up on the last chapter, "The Lost Child", Houselander writes

If, instead of using the expression "spiritual life" we used "the seeking," we should set out from the beginning and go on to the end with a clearer idea of what our life with God will be on this earth; and we should be less vulnerable, that is to say, less easily shattered by disillusionment and discouragement.  (Reed of God, pg. 121)

She goes on to explain why we must spend time seeking the lost Child in our life.  To explain, she notes the irony and apparent hypocrisy of Christians and non-Christians.  So often it is the non-Christians who reach out to help others and are concerned with the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.  Christians will give large sums of money to missions, yet turn their head to a beggar on the street or spend vast amounts of time serving others in ministry at Church, yet ignore the needs of their own family.  I see this illustrated in the issue of homosexuality.  Christians should stand up for the Truth (which is the Word of God) regarding homosexual tendencies and offer this truth with sympathy, mercy and love.  Instead, those with homosexual tendencies are judged as people (not their actions) and ostracized by Christians, so that they find comfort, support and acceptance in the ranks of non-believers. 

"Above all, how is it that those in whom the Holy Spirit- the Spirit of fire and light, truth, beauty, wisdom, and love- abides can so often be narrow, bigoted, timid, mediocre, dull, and tepid, impotent in spirit, prudish, detached, suspicious, and careful at the very marriage of heaven and earth?" 
"In Christ's own words, 'How is it that thou comest in hither without a wedding garment?'" (pgs. 122-123). 

What should we wear?  Saint Paul tells us,
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,

• heartfelt compassion,
• kindness,
• humility
• gentleness,
• and patience,
• bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another;
• as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also do. 
• And over all these put on LOVE, that is, the BOND of perfection.
• And let the PEACE of CHRIST CONTROL your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body.
• And BE THANKFUL."  (Colossians 3:12-15- emphasis and bullet marks mine!)

"Put on Love, that is the bond of perfection."  That seems in direct keeping with what Houselander writes.  We are not called to imitate Christ, but to become ONE with Him.  We are to be bound to Him and in Him.  And yet, who is Christ, that we can become one with Him?  So often, our God is too small. We put God in a box and limit His power, holiness and character.  The famous pastor A.W. Tozer states, what "comes to our mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us" (Tozer, Knowledge Of The Holy). 

Houselander explains this beautifully noting that "we usually judge people by our own reactions, fears, and desires.  We do not see them as separate people who possess their own souls and live their own lives, but as part of ourselves and our lives.  We attribute to them motives which we would have in the same circumstances" (Reed of God, pg. 125)

The truth of this statement can be witnessed in marriage.  We can grow to know and love one another more deeply- or gradually stop truly Knowing one another and simply see our image of our spouse.  We fail to see them as a separate person, but as an extension of ourselves who "should" know how to respond to us. 

And so, "we build idols" (Reed of God, pg. 127).  We worship the Lord that we imagine, and we imagine Him through our fears and insecurities. 

Why must we spend time seeking the lost Child in our lives? 

"If we did not, we should not realize that or idols are not God, are not Christ" (Reed of God, pg. 134). 

I love how she pointed out that it is God's mercy that He allows us to feel this sense of loss so that we go looking for the Christ Child.  This last line really struck me, "We know Him only by continually learning Him anew" (Reed of God, pg. 134). 

Lord, show me who you really are and now who I imagine you to be.  I want to worship you in Spirit AND TRUTH.  Don't let me put you in a box, Lord, but help me to see how BIG you really are.  Guide me to continually learn who you are.  Purify my understanding of you, and let me magnify you, as our Blessed Mother magnifies you still.