Homily Seventh Thursday of Easter (John 17:20-26) “Give Glory to God” 2020

Seventh Thursday of Easter (John 17:20-26) “Give Glory to God”

The Gospel passage we read today leads right into the passion account.  In the Gospel of John Jesus does not seem to be in despair as he anticipates his suffering and death, but he speaks of being glorified.

Jesus gives glory in three ways. His cross gives him glory.  A Christians glory is the cross and the carrying our particular cross with strength and dignity.  In the middle ages a knight would, quite often, be given a quest to undertake in the name of the king.  The harder the quest the more glory there was in undertaking and achieving it.

The second way Jesus gives glory is by being obedient to his Father.  The first man, Adam, said no to God.  The human Jesus on the other hand cooperated with the Father in all things even though he was asked to humiliate himself in many ways at many times in his earthly life.

The third way Jesus gave glory to the Father was by how he spoke of God.  He clarified so many misconceptions about God.  He showed the world that God is about mercy, not condemnation. 

How do follows of Christ give glory to God?  We do that by taking up the crosses we encounter and doing so without bitterness.  The last few weeks I have felt cranky about the fact that my movements have been limited and we have not operated as usual at Sacred Heart.  At other moments I have felt very trusting of what the future holds.  When we bear hardship with cheerful acquiescence, we give glory to God.

If we speak of or trials in the context of our Christian faith, we give glory to God. When we patiently listen to others who find great difficulty in their present situation, we give Glory to God because maybe at the moments when we are a compassionate presence in a person’s life, we are then a reflection of God.

Reflection Questions:

1. Who do I know who has given glory to God?  Perhaps it was somebody with a difficult illness.  Maybe it was someone who was a caretaker for a loved one.

2. How have I given glory to God in the last couple months?  Take a moment to reflect on some moments when you have felt like an agent of mercy.

Dear Parishioners,

Today I presided at the closing Seton School Mass.  This Mass like the classroom lessons and the Walk-a-Thon (etc.) was a virtual Mass.  The eighth graders also had a virtual graduation last night.  We come to the end of a most unusual school year.  As one lady put it in a news interview, I though I closed my business for a couple of weeks so that we could flatten the curve.  Little did I know this would go on for months.

This is the same way with our local school communities.  I am sure everyone though that this would go on for a few weeks like an extended spring break, but we now know what has happened.

This summer will be a summer of many decisions for educators.  We pray that they will make wise ones.  One thing is certain the people who lead our schools need our prayers.

May Our Lady and all the angels and saints watch over you today.

Fr. Mark