Jeroboam realized that religion is part of human nature. Therefore, human beings must be religious. The only question is: "Will we be committed to the only true religion, Judaism fulfilled in the Church, or will we be involved in some of the many thousands of false religions?" Some think they have proven Jeroboam wrong: they say they don't need religion. However, they end up replacing God with themselves or an idea such as socialism or secular humanism. Then they religiously follow their "anti-religion."

God constantly calls us away from false religions to "worship the Father in Spirit and truth. Indeed, it is just such worshipers the Father seeks" (Jn 4:23). The writer of the book of James summarizes the old covenant's delineation of true religion: Religion that is pure and undefiled before God is to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world (see Jas 1:27, RNAB). Even with these clarifications, human beings tend to be deceived about religion. So God the Father sent Jesus, fully man and fully God.

Now we know the only Way to which our religious aspirations should be directed. Now we know the Way to the true, religious life (see Jn 14:6).

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 8, 2019

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