The Glory of God

 

St. Ignatius specifically wanted Jesuit novices to preach.  In the novitiate, we are asked to preach on occasion as well.  This is a reflection on Scripture from the Book of Exodus

Painting by William Blake

Where is the “glory of the Lord” in YOUR life?

The Israelites were aware that the glory of the Lord filled the Dwelling Moses built for God.

As Jesuits, in the spirit of Jesuit poet Gerard Manley Hopkins who said “the world is charged with the grandeur of God,” we are aware that the glory of the Lord fills the Dwelling that God has built for us—

In other words, the glory of the Lord fills our very lives.

So often, I don’t think it feels like that to us. 

We get so jaded, afraid, shamed, angry, and otherwise preoccupied that we  

                                               can’t see the glory.

The Israelites looked for a hovering cloud and fire that spoke to them of God's glory.  So where is it for us?  Where is the cloud?  Where is the fire?  or should I say with Jerry McGuire:

SHOW ME THE GLORY!!!

I think that desire should be at the heart of the Jesuit practice of the daily Examen:

We want to see the glory of God in our daily lives.

As good as it is to pay attention to the little things in our Examens, I’m talking about something more.  

We need to have our eyes opened to the BIG picture of God’s glory.

The Israelites knew about God’s big glory.  

For myself, there has been a consistent barrier to beholding the glory of God in my life.  That barrier is a fear of my sinfulness (inherent to all of us).  Yet since the retreat, God has been breaking through.

In prayer, I have just been marveling lately, on the heels of my stupid sinfulness:

"God it is AMAZING that you LOVE ME!!!!!"

That is a big statement; that is BIG glory.  That is the kind of thing that can lead us out of our particular miseries, into the freedom of the sons and daughters of God.

So, where is the BIG glory of God in your life?

Is it in glory of a friendship?  Of your vocation in life?  Of a talent within you?  Show me the glory!

Let us pray that like Moses and the house of Israel, we would be bowled over by God’s glory, in our lives and especially as we are about to take part in this glorious mystery as Catholics, the Holy Eucharist.