Polygamy with God

Learning how not to serve two masters

11/05/2023

Mt 23:1-12 Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.' As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

I would like to begin today’s homily with a little humor. As Mary Poppin’s sang: “Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down…in the most delightful way.” A Mormon acquaintance once pushed Mark Twain into an argument on the issues of polygamy. After long and tedious expositions justifying the practice of polygamy, the Mormon demanded that Twain cite any passage of Scripture expressly forbidding polygamy. “Nothing easier,” Twain replied, and added: “No man can serve two masters.” By the way, Lord knows it’s hard enough for a man to serve one master, one wife, let alone two!

I start with that short story because it perfectly sets the stage for today’s gospel where Jesus forbids calling anyone else “Father,” or “Rabbi,” or “Teacher.” As you know, some Protestants cite this passage in Mt 23:8-10 to argue why we should not call Catholic priests “Father.” But I believe that misses Jesus’ main point, which is to listen, love, and obey God alone. No one else should be on the same pedestal as God.

In other words, don’t practice a sort of polygamy with God, that is, don’t treat other people or even other things with the reverence and respect we should offer only to God. But sometimes we do allow rivals to God like when we skip Sunday Mass for sports, or accept unethical business practices to please our boss, or drink alcohol to excess hurting family and friends. In such moments we should remember Mark Twain’s brilliant argument against polygamy: no man can serve two masters.

Today I would like to suggest three ways we can avoid practicing polygamy with God, and serve only one Master, namely our Creator. First, get involved in a Scripture study program. You see, the Bible is called the Word of God. Why? Well, because that is where we hear his voice loud and clear telling us how much he loves us, and inviting us to love him wholly and solely as our Beloved.

Recently, one group from IC did an online Bible study with two ladies from Syracuse, NY. A couple of weekends ago, the Syracuse ladies flew to Fort Smith to visit their Bible buddies and came to Mass here at I.C. and I got to meet them. Love of God leads to love of neighbor in Bible study. In Sacred Scripture we hear God’s Word of love and invite others to love him, too.

Second, listen to the Church and follow her teachings because the Church too echoes God’s Word in the world today. And by the way, when I say listen to the Church I don’t mean ask any priest what the Church teaches. Why not? Well, I know some Catholics who go to several priests until they get the answer they are looking for. That is like going to multiple doctors until someone gives you the diagnosis you want to hear. That approach will not heal what ails you spiritual or physically.

Whenever someone asks me what the Church teaches, I answer: “Here’s what I think. But go double check that in the Catechism. And if I am wrong, please come back and tell me so I can stop giving people bad advice!” In other words, the Catechism is what the Church teaches in all places and at all times, not some fringe group of Catholics, or some fringe priest, like Fr. John.

And third spend time in silence, solitude, and stillness. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Heck, even Superman frequented his Fortress of Solitude, to escape the madness of Metropolis, so he could be alone and discover his identity and purpose. Silence, solitude, and stillness means putting down your phone, turning off the tv or radio, and even calming your bodily activity. All these things can be rivals to God and sabotage our singular love for him.

Only when are silent, still, and in solitude can we hear God’s voice speaking in our conscience. The Catechism describes our conscience as our Fortress of Solitude, saying: “His conscience is man’s most secret core and his sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths” (no. 1776). Our inner compass called conscience always tells us that we are created to love one Spouse, and that Spouse is God. And to divorce ourselves from other gods.

My friends, it is not only Mormonism that practices polygamy; we all do. In a spiritual sense we all try to practice polygamy with God when we try to love other rivals as much as we love him. That temptation is the ultimate reason Jesus said do not call anyone on earth “Father” or “Rabbi” or “Master.” Why? Because “No man can serve two masters.”

Praised be Jesus Christ!