What it is all about

For some ambitious people, religion is a tool for self-advancement by manipulating and exerting control over other people.

For them, religion is all about power.

So it is in today’s first reading (1 Kings 12:26-32; 13:33-34), as the King of Israel, for political reasons, establishes a pagan alternative to the true worship of God.

For some people who are perhaps not so ambitious, religion is a tool for building self-esteem.

For them, religion is all about “me.”

So it is also in today’s first reading that priesthood is conferred by the corrupt King on anyone who desires it, without regard to the call and the commandments of God.

The truth seems obvious: religion is not about power or self-advancement or self-esteem.

Religion – true religion, real religion – is all about God.

May you and I live that way.