What does that word mean? The mind goes to kneeling down, bowing one’s head, and adoring the object of worship. That is one way I supposed, but what about other ways people worship? Like taking their money to the bank, polishing their expensive cars, or buying new things. Not that there is anything wrong with these things, but for some people that is worship, that is what they bow to and what they adore.
It is hard not to adore and worship an job you are really good at, or another person, or even the idea of church. There is nothing inherently wrong with these things, except when we become attached to them as the object of our worship. A job that defines you is a real problem, what if you lose the job? A beautiful person in your life is wonderful but what if they leave? When the object you are worshiping defines who you are there can be real problems.
So, here’s the perspective. If I go to church because I love the liturgy or the music or just the experience, what am I worshiping? If the church has become one more thing to check off of my list, am I worshiping my busy schedule? Being very proud of all that I am called to do? If I go because the preacher’s sermons are the best anywhere, what am I worshiping? The preacher’s good words perhaps, but what if that preacher says something that I do not like?
It is easy to forget in this busy world we live in that we should worship the creator of all things, not the things. If we go to church and the music, liturgy and preaching all point us to the God of the Universe, then they remain tools of worship and we find ourselves in God.
You can worship in the garden, if the time there is pointing you to the creator and not the creation. The secret is to wonder if you are being led to the Creator and not caught up in the creation. This is the daily examen that St. Ignatius said was so important. At the end of the day, I must look inside, quietly, and come to terms with the person that I tend to be, that my ego leads me to be. That person who sings, with Sinatra, “I did it my way!”
Doing it your way will never be worship, even if you are doing good. You are worshiping the act, or even yourself. Doing it God’s way, in humility, makes all that you do an act of
TMM