Glory—The word “glory” occurs often in the
texts that make up our liturgy. Yesterday’s feast of the Transfiguration
illuminated several definitions I found in the dictionary:- v Great honor, praise or distinction; renown
- v majestic beauty and splendor
- v a halo, nimbus or aureole
Did the scriptural writers follow the advice given to aspiring
writers: “Write what you know.”? Did they try to express the experience of
God’s glory and find it difficult? How would one find the right word after spending
time on the mountain?
Glory is often contrasted
in these texts with the acknowledgment of ordinary human weakness. We read in 2
Cor. 4:6:
…God…has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the
glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in clay
jars…
The shining and the light and the glory come from God and
not from us.
And further
on Paul says:
We do not lose heart…This slight
momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal
weight of glory beyond all measure.
The affliction and the future glory go together. The glory
is God’s. We ascribe glory to God as we pray Glory be to the Father…, Glory
to God in the highest… and numerous liturgical hymns. We do not understand
how this glory will be shared, and like many biblical men and women, we are
afraid to see the glory of God. Those who have come close, in near-death
experiences, describe the light and the warmth coming toward them. These
glimpses reassure us that God’s glory will not frighten but welcome.
The psalmist this morning speaks in faith:
Surely your salvation is at hand for those who fear you,
and your glory will dwell in our land. (Psalm 85)
Sr. Christa Kreinbrink, OSB
Dear Sister, thank you for the focus on this word glory -- this is a very Pauline word, the Christ he gives us shines with Glory, the Lord in victory. This is what the early church taught the Romans and Greeks. It was later that the Roman Catholic emphasis on the suffering Jesus developed, after the Church was firmly established and offering a enriched spiritual depth. The image of the lowly suffering one enduring shame is very different from the pagan gods. In my learning in the last ten years, I have come to see that Jesus the healer, the bright teacher, replaced the popular Greek god Apollo (who was a healer). In the early days there were no images of Christ, but later we have images of him, bright strong and handsome, as Apollo used to be shown. One of the deep truths I have understood is that we have the best information through the Gospel, but the power of the Eternal Father, his Love, was working always -- even in the pagan world. We grow and learn, we are granted better knowledge, thanks be to God. God bless OSB amen. Happy Feast of the Holy Assumption of the Virgin; Holy Dormition of the Blessed Virgin. On the same day?? A puzzle ... -- Ah I got it!
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