"In him we were also chosen so that we might exist for the praise of his glory"

Ephesians 1:11-12

G^2 (G-squared!)

You and I are chosen to exist for the glory of God. To think that all the beauty and goodness of the earth is just a glimmer, a hint, a beginning of the glory of our God. Amazing! And, if someone asks us why we are, we joyfully proclaim, “For his glory!”

You have seen and read about all the beautiful churches and cathedrals in the world. A question asked about them is, “Why are you wasting so much money on all the gold and statues and art in those churches when it could be given to the poor? It is hypocritical to spend the money on that when you have the poor right outside your door.”

So, why the flying buttresses, art, gold, stained-glass windows? Because the people of faith were just trying build a home fitting for the infinite beauty and goodness of the glory of God. When you meet the beauty of the Lord you come to know that all other beauty in the world does not come close to it and you want to build the most fitting place for him as humanly possible. Thus, you have these awe-inspiring churches not so much built by people but The Holy Spirit working through believer’s assent in faith to the glory of God.

Where is the greatest potential for the glory of God to be revealed on earth? Being made in God’s image, it is through us! Notice I said potential. It can be or not be. It might happen or maybe it will not happen in us. Is it our choice to assent to it in faith or not.

We are chosen to become the most beautiful cathedral the world has ever seen. Reflect on what inspired all the people to give so much money and time and effort to build all the incredibly beautiful churches in the world. Would we give to God how they gave so that God’s glory would beam out through our lives? Inspired by all the inspiration that built all the wondrous churches in the world, may God’s glory overcome us as if we were a grain of sand thrown into the sea of God’s glory so that we, as a cathedral, might be the most beautiful place on earth where others can encounter the glory of God.

G^2- Glorify God! That is the whole purpose of our existence.

G^2

+Fr. John

RETURN TO "WORDS FROM FR. JOHN"