Glory

Jesus didn’t try to attract followers by listing rules and articles of faith or by engaging in philosophical discussions, although he could have. He attracted followers by showing the glory, or the beauty, of people in supportive relationships, of human celebrations, of recovery from illness, of yearning for God, of faith, even of rising from the dead.

People are attracted to Christianity because they see a certain glory, a certain beauty, in the Christian way of life, in our particular perspective and understanding of God and the world, and they feel attracted to be a part of that.

Where do we find the glory of God in our own life? This is a question for each of us to answer: perhaps in the beauty of liturgical celebrations, in our prayer and reflection, in the good example of others; or perhaps in the natural world–in gardening or hiking or just spending time in nature; maybe in the service of others; maybe in all these and in other ways the glory of God comes through to us.

The Spirit of the resurrected Jesus unites us with the glory of God. Our glory might pass, but God’s glory is forever.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” (John 14:27)