Glorious!5/16/2024 Thursday of the 7th Week of Easter
Yesterday as I was walking around the grounds of Campion, I saw a dogwood tree that was “pristine” in its appearance. There were so many flowers and not one had fallen to the ground. It was really “glorious!” “And I have given them the glory you gave me,” God’s glory in us? Really? Sharing in the divine life? Yes. Jesus says over and over that we are united with him as he is with the Father. Isn’t “glory” reserved for the glorious? If you’ve ever felt “tarnished” or “lackluster,” you may be skeptical about Jesus’ claim that he has given you the glory that God has given him. Some of us may feel more “notorious”” than worthy of note or glory. Despite the famous words of Irenaeus, “The Glory of God is the human person fully alive,” it’s a challenge to see ourselves as reflecting God’s glory. Speaking for myself, it does seem like a stretch to imagine God’s glory within me. Love, yes, but glory? Glory is something reserved for God, or in human terms, for the rich and famous. Most of us don’t fit into those categories. And yet, Jesus says “I have given them the glory you gave me.” For the past week I have been directing a friend’s retreat. Frank is an Oblate priest who lives in San Antonio. I had directed his 30-day retreat two summers ago. It’s interesting how the spirit works during retreat time. Much of our conversation yesterday was about God’s “glory.” I hadn’t realized that it would be a focal point in today’s Gospel. I will be interested to see where the Spirit lead him as he prayed with this text. I also invited him to pray with today’s psalm which is quite “glorious” in its own way. This psalm sums up what it means to be totally devoted to God, trusting in God’s faithfulness. You will show me the path of life, Fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever Can you see God’s glory reflected in others? Can you see yourself as a reflection of God’s glory? Can you trust the Spirt to lead you on the path of life so that you may know the fullness of joy in God’s presence? Can I?
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