Gospel Thoughts Today: Glorify Him

Years ago I planted a bush in the backyard. The flowers are bright orange and red (I think it's called Firebush). It has grown and filled out providing glorious blooms all year round. About 7 years ago I hired a wonderful young man to mow the lawn and trim the bushes around the house. A few years ago, as I would step out onto the back patio, my beautiful Firebush was chopped off, leaving only green leaves and branches showing. This happened for about 6 months, when finally I text Greg and asked him not to cut down that particular bush when it was in full bloom (not only do I love the colors . . . it is a flower that attracts butterflies!). Well, he stopped and it started growing taller than the fence, at least 3 feet taller. So, now he only cuts it down a couple times a year. Why did my Firebush come to mind after reading today's Gospel? Because EVERYTHING glorifies Him . . . the smile of my grandchildren as they race into my arms; the love of a husband who despite recovering from eye surgery, walks into the bedroom in the morning with a hot cup of coffee for me; the beauty of a butterfly caught on my Firebush. Everyday occurrences which could be overlooked if not seeing through the eyes of Christ. 

In today's Gospel (John 17:1-11A), we are privy to an intimate conversation between Jesus and His Father:

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come.
Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him. Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do. Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began.

“I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you.”

Lay apostles, how do you glorify Jesus on a daily basis? Do you wake up and go about your day without acknowledging Him or wake up thanking Him for another day on this earth? Praising Him for good health? Glorifying Him for His death on the cross for your salvation? If not, begin today. It is never too late.

Thank you, Lord, for opening my eyes through this apostolate to see and glorify you in everything . . . good, bad and ugly. Just please give me the extra push through the bad and ugly!

God bless,

Bonnie