7th Sunday of Easter (2014-06-01)

[__01__]    Glory to God in the Highest.

Glory to God in the Highest.    

This introductory prayer of Sunday Mass reminds us of God’s power, splendor, reminds us to trust in God with our prayers and petitions.

[__02__]       In the Gospel this Sunday, Jesus was speaking to his disciples – and to us – at the Last Supper, praying to our heavenly Father, saying..

“I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work you gave me to do. Now, glorify me, Father with you with the glory that I had with you before the world began. ” (John 17:__)

Glorification, glory, was our Savior’s objective. And, he introduces this objective – this goal – to us.

Glory.

[__03__]    How do you and I understand or experience GLORIFICATION, glory…

Which is defined on the one hand as …

(1)   the praise, honor, or distinction extended – made possible – by common consent….

This is the praise gained on the Olympic track, the NHL/Madison Square Garden ice rink, or the soccer field.

This is the glory associated with a gold medal, Stanley Cup, or World Cup.

To be glorified in this way, one is competing and then commonly – popularly – acclaimed.

In this regard, glory is something placed upon the winner … similar to the hats and t-shirts that read “world champions” … or to the blizzard of confetti / paper after the buzzer.

Glory is something that we get …

[__04__]      On the other hand, Glory could be something that we give…that we give away.

This is the Christian life, the Christian calling.. we give glory rather than gain/get glory…

[__05__]      Jesus is introducing us to a new definition of glory, one based not on competition but on communion with the Holy Spirit, in allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell in and form our decisions, and guide our consciences.

There is a reward in doing so, in accepting God’s ways… but it may not be the reward we are expecting that whatever we do, we are called to work at with our whole heart, as working for the Lord and not for human masters. (cf. Colossians 3:23).

[__06__]    Are we not inclined to define our work, our goals, and its glory based on the reward we receive today, from “human masters”… or from the

• teaching grading our paper or exam
• admissions board reviewing our application
• manager reviewing our work

[__07__]      In the Book of Proverbs, we read, “all hard work brings a profit but mere talk leads only to poverty.” (Proverbs 14:23)

And, in St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, we read, “all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Yes, the Lord is calling us to glory, and to perfection. Yet, we are called to be careful about what this glory and perfection is ..

We may think that glory is manifested or attained by what we get back or gain…

• high score
• Stanley Cup
• “thank you”

While all of the above are gratifying..they are not our true glory… our true glory is defined by what we give, by the love we share, by what we give to God in prayer in action and what we give to others.

Glory to God in the highest.

[__fin__]