When we receive Communion and partake of the one loaf, "we, many though we are, are one body" (1 Cor 10:17). We share in the body and blood of Christ (1 Cor 10:16). However, when we immerse ourselves in worldly activities, we may be involved in the worship of idols and commune with the world. We may unknowingly have "become sharers with demons" (1 Cor 10:20).
Worship is simply abandoning ourselves to something or to someone. Today's idol worship is often done at parties, concerts, sporting events, bars, motels, or malls. When we party with abandon, idolize an entertainer or athlete, have sinful sexual relations (see Eph 5:5), or invest an inappropriate amount of time and/or money into something, we may be worshipping idols, having communion with them, and unknowingly becoming sharers with demons.
"You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and also the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and likewise the table of demons. Do we mean to provoke the Lord to jealous anger? Surely we are not stronger than He!" (1 Cor 10:21-22) "Worship God alone!" (Rv 22:9)
| PRAYER: | Father, deliver me from any unknowing involvement in the occult. |
| PROMISE: | "A good man produces goodness from the good in his heart." –Lk 6:45 |
| PRAISE: | St. John Chrysostom was exiled more than once from his diocese, but remained in contact with, and faithful to, the pope. He shunned worldly idols by bringing reform to the corrupt court, clergy, and people. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College