For the Glory

Who do people see when they see you?

Then Jesus cried aloud: ‘Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.’ - John 12:44-50

One must be truly humble to seek no personal credit for what one does.

In today's Gospel, Jesus is saying he has no voice of his own, that everything he says comes from God and not from him.  He says the same thing for his actions, they are from God.  Nor does he judge those who don't listen to him/

I think he is giving us an example of how we humans should live in this world, since he who was born into this world as we are lived this way, giving God the glory and the credit and the control.

How often do we seek the glory and recognition for the good things we do?  It is only natural, right?

To offer it back up to God is hard, it means denying ourselves the moment of pride and self-satisfaction.  But Jesus found joy in that.  So committed to doing God's will, he showed us that is a great way to live, and we should just try it.

In Lent, we are called to focus on our thoughts, words and actions.  In doing that, we should seek ways to glorify God through ourselves.

Whatever we say, do, think and feel should be worthy of God.

Can we do that?  If we really want to follow Jesus, we should at least try.

More to come...