Glory to:
God
the Father . . .
God the Son . . .
God the Holy Spirit!
Return
to Glory to the Father
The
word “Glory” is commonly used today. Perhaps so frequently that we don’t
give it much thought when we find it used in a religious context.
For
example, it is used to describe an especially beautiful event in nature such as
a glorious sunrise or sunset or sometimes to describe the inspiring performance
of an individual or team, the particular beauty of a woman or the amassed show
of power and splendor of a king, queen or ruler. It is most often used to show
respect, to give praise, admiration, and honor to someone or something.
But
in our material world, change is normal. The glorious colors we enjoy in a
sunrise will disappear in the bright light of the morning sun, the glorious
sunset will disappear in the dark of night, a person’s physical strength or
beauty diminishes with age, and a ruler’s political glory may be overshadowed by
that of another.
There
is only one glory that never changes. This is the total and complete perfection
of God that we recognize, honor and accept through love when we say "Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.”
God the
Father is Creator
. . .
in whose
mind we were always present and who
brought our material universe into being. It is through his will that his Son
was born of Mary to redeem us. The relationship between God and ourselves
is one of love. We should be as desperately in love with Him as He is with
us. We love Him through our good intentions, actions and prayers. He
loves us and kisses us through his sacraments. God the Father speaks to us through His son.
Jesus
Christ our Savior and Redeemer . . .
who, by
taking on human nature, became like us in all ways but sin. By healing our infirmities,
and his teaching about his heavenly Father, he led us
to understand his father’s desire that we try to follow the teachings and
example of Jesus and so merit eternal life. His choose to die on a cross
to redeem us, (the ultimate act of love), and merited our return to
eternal friendship with his Father in heaven. He took upon himself our
frail human nature through his young virgin mother named Mary. He announced his
Father’s kingdom first through the Jewish nation and then to the world through
his church and disciples. We are all strengthened and supported by the
limitless merits and graces he earned for us to become his ministers and ambassadors.
Our
mission is to announce his message of love.
When
his mission was accomplished by his suffering and death on the cross, but before
returning to his Father in heaven, His Son, Jesus, promised to send the Holy
Spirit as our guide in ways pleasing to his heavenly Father.
God
the Holy Spirit is Sanctifier
. . .
who
touches our minds and strengthens us with the spiritual gifts of Wisdom,
Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of the Lord. The
Holy Spirit speaks to us through holy thoughts and encourages us to use his
gifts to act in accordance with God’s will. By a life of openness to the
Spirit's inspirations, we are drawn closer to God and increase in love which is
the very life of God. The voice of the Holy Spirit is strengthened through
the graces received in the sacraments of His Church and in particular the
sacrament of Confirmation.
We
give glory to God . . .
when we
cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He offers inspirations and situations which
bring us to closer union with the desires of God, made known through his Son and his Church. St. Matthew has recorded
the instructions Jesus Christ gave to his disciples in his gospel account found
in Chapter 5, verses 1 through 16. These instructions are called the
Beatitudes. In them, Christ clearly told us the motives and
actions pleasing to his father, and how blest, "well off," and rewarded will
those persons be who try to follow them. The occasion when Christ gave these instructions is called “The Sermon on the
Mount.”
Beatitude
One-Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Beatitude Two-Blessed are they who mourn for they shall be comforted.
Beatitude
Three-Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.
Beatitude Four-Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for
they will be satisfied.
Beatitude Five-Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.
Beatitude Six-Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Beatitude Seven-Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of
God.
Beatitude Eight-Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of
righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Beatitude Nine-Blessed will you be when they insult you and persecute
and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me, rejoice and be
glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the
prophets who were before you.
Conclusion . . .
As God
creatures, He expects us to return his love by doing what he expects of us.
Christ, God's
son came to earth
to redeem us and show us how to give glory to God his Father.
Christ told us how we will be rewarded when we give
glory to God his father.
Christ told us what would happen if we do not give
glory to God his father.
Christ sent God the Holy Spirit to inspire us,
and guide our thoughts and help us make good choices
to reflect our love for God and his creation.
We can give but one response to Christ’s message:
The Response - Give Glory to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy
Spirit!
The Reward - Eternal life with the Trinity, with Mary, the angels and all the saints
in heaven who
have given God glory during their lives on earth!