Words mean different things to us at different times. This is evident when we talk of words that have taken on a new meaning in our present culture, but it is also true that a word may deepen and mean more as we mature or even when we reflect on it. I am thinking of the word "glorify" - the verb has different meanings for different people. I am called as a Religious of the Sacred Heart to glorify the Heart of Jesus; Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus for "the greater glory of God" - I think it means to give all the honor and recognition due to God. I think it also means recognizing that we belong to God and God created us. It is hard to put into words what I am feeling about "glorifying" - every time I try to express what I feel in words, it is not really what I want to say. We sing, "Give glory to God" and we mean this, but try to describe in words the meaning of "glory" and I feel inadequate! Words are concepts that convey meaning. Just my pondering this today makes me think that often we do not fully grasp the meaning! Maybe I have had clarity about a word before and now feel that I cannot remember how I used to understand the term to my own satisfaction...sorry but this is what today's reflection is about: a struggle to clarify for myself a rich concept that goes beyond words.
2 comments:
Our Archbishop recently said that just as when parents are proud of their children they are in a way glorified by their children, we too are the glory of God our Father - this was a new concept to me. But the word is bound up with the idea of the sacred versus the mundane in my mind, the link between heaven and earth
Mary, I do believe God created us to give glory to Him and I think we do this in many ways; I like you idea of the link between heaven and earth. Thank you for responding.
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