Wednesday, December 5, 2012

We are the Glory of God


             
          
             The first reading today from the Prophet Baruch clearly tells us that we are God’s crowning achievement.  “Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever: wrapped in the cloak of justice from God, bear on your head the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name.  For God will show all the earth your splendor:  you will be named by God forever the peace of justice, the glory of God's worship.” (Bar 1:5…)

            Many times in our faith we are challenged to do the good and to avoid evil, and homilies will take on that challenge, but every so often we need to be reminded of our goodness.  Any good coach, teacher, or mentor will challenge those he or she has been given charge of, they will also set the bar high – if they desire to achieve excellence, but every so often they will affirm their students, their players, and their protégés.  This is done so that those committed to the class, the team, the club, the cause, will not lose heart, that they will be made to feel a sense of worth and a sense of goodness.  This is no different than with God.  He challenges us for the most part but also reaffirms us and that is what is being done today in our readings.

            God did take on human flesh in Jesus Christ to come and save us, yes we are wounded and only Jesus can heal that wound, but we are also good, not just good, “but very good” c.f. Gen. 1:31, we are also fearfully and wonderfully made, (c.f. Ps. 139:14) and we are also as St. Irenaeus so beautifully puts, “Man fully alive is the glory of God.”

            What is good about us one may ask, since it seems that wars never end, sin goes from bad to worse, and every day the attendance at Church diminishes?  There is a lot of good; for starters, it is good that you are here.  But I also see goodness all around me.  Many of you give so much of yourselves, to your families, to your friends, your community – especially the family you have here at our Parish.  So many of you give of not just your money but your time as well and that has been humbling to me and also has served as a motivation for me to give back more, so I thank you.

            We also see a lot of good in this world.  Think of all the people who work and operate St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Catholic Charities, Red Cross, Peace Corps, Volunteer Fire Fighters, Soup Kitchen Volunteers, CCD teachers, volunteer coaches, mentors, First Aid Respond Volunteers, UNICEF, and the list can go on and on.  So many give of themselves in concern for others and even people they do not know.  Think of the countless parents who take care of a gravely ill child, sometimes for years or decades – giving up everything for just moments of relief for their child!  We see the best of humanity in these trials.  Think of hurricane Sandy how many folks came together to help those in need, people from California spearheading projects that would send resources across the coast to aid us here.

            There is a goodness to humanity and it is clearly from the Divine spark that is found in the very core of our being, “made in the image and likeness of God.”  God says he will show the earth our glory and splendor, for we are truly good, of great value, and endless, fearless, and persevering in our love for each other.  Our worth is beyond measure, it is of such great value that God Himself became a man and showed us love personified and perfected in the greatest sacrifice of all, His Passion.  AMEN

FJ

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