One of the most complete and powerful of the acclamations, songs and prayers that the Church can ever make is the oft-times forgotten "Gloria Patri" – the Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to God who is, who was, and who is to come!" This prayer, this song, this acclamation is very, very pleasing to God!
All of creation – in its original intent - is about giving glory, praise and thanks to God! There is nothing more! There is nothing less!
Mankind was created to give God glory – it is his due – and he insists on having it; when mankind refused to do that, rather than punish man eternally, he sent his own Son to reconcile the situation and to teach mankind once and for all that all praise, glory, honor, worship and thanksgiving belong to himself – to God – forever!
This is what the life and death and resurrection Jesus is all about: our redemption, our salvation, our ability to refocus our entire attention on giving God glory by and in everything we think, say and do! Everything! All of the time!
Is it possible to do this? Yes, it is! And the Church is here to show us how! A life lived in rhythm of belief, sacraments, right decisions and prayer as explained and helped along by the Church is not only possible, it is available and can transform any life into a virtuous, happy, productive, joyful endeavor – come what may – with both the ups and the downs!
In the first reading from the book of Exodus today we see Moses talking with God about how "stiff-necked" the people he has chosen to be his own are! How stubborn! How senseless and aggravating! Moses who always has his hands full with them intercedes and begs God to pardon their wickedness and sins – and to receive them as his own special family!
There is a long history of God doing just that – forgiving his people, only to have them mess things up again! But this shows one very important aspect of God – he is patient and his mercy and love are everlasting and are always available to those who turn to him and ask help!
In the second reading we see St. Paul telling the Corinthians to live as though they truly were God's new family – heirs with Christ to the special merits of his death and resurrection – heirs of eternal life as well! They should be nice to one another, and helpful and friendly! Then he spells out a very important Trinitarian formulation that we hear most Sundays at Mass: it is a real and authentic and simple definition of the Trinity by their essence: "grace" of the Lord Jesus Christ; "love" of God the Father; "fellowship" of the Holy Spirit. We could meditate on this familiar greeting at Mass for many hours and still not be able to comprehend its entire depth and richness.
Jesus won for us "grace" – because the Father "loves" us so much that he wanted us to be offered forgiveness; the Holy Spirit is what binds us together as the one, new and eternal spiritual, mystical Body of Christ – by the "fellowship" of peace that he distributes!
In the gospel passage we see the heart of the matter: the heart of God the Father; the heart of Jesus his Son, and our brother – God sent his Son not to condemn the world but to redeem it – so that anyone who believes in Jesus will have eternal life! It is such an easy concept to say – but for many it is such a perplexing mystery still to be solved.
We pray today that the Holy Spirit may be poured forth upon the entire world – so that the hearts of every man, woman and child might be open to the tremendous gifts of God – which have everything to do with where they will spend eternity! Come, Holy Spirit – renew the face of the earth! And prepare us all for the Wedding Feast of the Lamb in heaven – that is definitely coming! Let us be wearing our wedding garment of faith in Jesus to be assured of our swift and immediate entrance!
Glory to you most loving Father!
Praise to you most gentle Jesus!
Thanks to you most merciful Spirit!
Now, and forever!
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