We generally equate false idols with the pleasant things we put before the one true God. Indeed, the word “worship” is generally a synonym for “love,” the experience of which is understood to be inherently pleasant. However, we must also consider that things or people that cause strong negative emotions can also become idols. What we fear the most, what causes us to experience strong anxiety, can also be considered an idol. In today’s readings, we see how God wants to liberate us from becoming slaves to fear. One of the reasons God allows us to suffer in our bodies – even the looming fate of death itself – is so that we progressively discover our true freedom, the freedom of our soul. When we bend and submit to things or people out of fear of suffering or punishment they become an idol and we become their slave. Joseph understood from his time imprisoned in Egypt how God was liberating him from slavery to fear. He understood this so well, that he wanted his brothers to experience the same freedom and not turn their fear into an idol. read more
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