Self-made religion

Self-made religions are frequently the focus of fear or of ridicule.

Self-anointed New Age gurus are frequently lampooned.

Self-anointed cult leaders are frequently feared to be the next David Koresh or Jim Jones.

Yet self-made religion is a much wider and pervasive phenomenon than a few kooks, harmless or dangerous as they may be.

Indeed, self-made religion is practiced by many who deny that they are religious, yet who operate consistently (even if unconsciously) from guiding principles and objectives based on transcendent presumptions of their own making.

Even those who describe themselves as belonging to a particular establishment of religion may, consciously or unconsciously, have self-selected which aspects of the religion they will follow and which aspects they will not.

In a sense, therefore, the so-called "Cafeteria Christians" practice a self-made religion.

In today's first reading (Hosea 8:4-13), the Lord denounces self-made religion: guiding principles and objectives that derive not from God but from human invention.

They have set up kings, but not by me:
they have made princes, and I knew it not:
of their silver and their gold
have they made them idols,
that they may be cut off.

Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off;
mine anger is kindled against them:
how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?

For from Israel was it also:
the workman made it;
therefore it is not God:
but the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.

For they have sown the wind,
and they shall reap the whirlwind:
it hath no stalk:
the bud shall yield no meal:
if so be it yield,
the strangers shall swallow it up.


Self-made religion may be convenient, but it lacks substance ("it hath no stalk"). Self-made religion lacks the substance that gives lasting nourishment and that enables a person to endure the tumults of life.

The workman made it;
therefore it is not God:
but the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.

For they have sown the wind,
and they shall reap the whirlwind...

Today's reading gives us an opportunity to take a good look at ourselves, at the principles by which we actually live our lives (not just the ones we profess), at our real objectives, and at the things we consciously or unconsciously hold sacred.

Are all of these things truly rooted in God? Or are we practitioners de facto of a self-made religion?

May the Lord lead us away from those things that are not of him.

May the Lord Jesus Christ speak to our hearts.