Throughout the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, we see a clear message: certain worship is reserved for God alone. Take the story of the Golden Calf, for example. When the Israelites fell into idolatry, they weren’t just making a poor decision—they were giving something sacred, something meant for God, to something unworthy.
They squandered what was reserved for Him.
That same question applies to us: What in our lives are we letting compete with God?
Take Sundays, for instance. Are they truly set apart as the Lord’s Day, or do they end up being devoted to the “Church of the NFL” or whatever other distractions clamor for our attention?
Here’s another angle to consider. In Catholic circles, there’s often discussion about how we dress for Mass—debates not just about modesty but about how dressed up we should be. While I won’t dive into that debate, I want to share a personal reflection.
There was a point in my life when I realized something unsettling: I was dressing up more for date nights than I was for Mass.
Now, let me be clear—I love my wife, and I want to show her respect and affection by making an effort when we go out. That’s a good thing. But the problem wasn’t how much effort I was putting into date night—it was how little I was putting into my preparation for the Mass.
Saturday night, I’d be polished and put together. Sunday morning? Not so much.
And that got me thinking: What should be reserved for God alone?
This isn’t just about clothing. It’s about our hearts. Are we offering God our best? Or are we giving Him whatever’s left over after everything else in our lives has taken its share?
The Golden Calf wasn’t just a statue—it was a symbol of misplaced priorities. What are the “golden calves” in our lives? Is it how we spend our Sundays? How we prepare for worship? How we give our time, our energy, or our attention?
God deserves more than leftovers. Let’s prayerfully examine our lives and ask: What am I reserving for God? And if the answer isn’t enough, let’s start making changes—small or big—to give Him what He alone deserves.
Because only when we reserve the best for God do we truly begin to worship Him as He deserves.