The readings this week all reveal the majesty and power of God. Take a look:
1st Reading – Daniel has a vision of God’s glory
Psalm – “The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.”
2nd Reading – Jesus receives honor and glory from the Father
Gospel – Peter, James and John see the Lord transfigured before their eyes
It is a good thing to reflect on the glory and power of God; after all, as Sons and Daughters of God we will all one day stand before the Lord. Having died and rose for the forgiveness of our sins, Jesus Christ will gaze into our eyes with understanding, compassion and….power.
Let’s be clear: He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the one before whom all honor and glory and praise is due. He is the one before whom we will bend our knee and bow our head.
This awesome and mighty image reveals the authority Jesus has in heaven, on earth and under the earth. He came to our world in our need and restored what was lost through temptation and sin by the wood of His Cross.
The glory of God that we hear about is not meant to drive us away from God out of fear, but rather to inspire us that the Lord’s victory is complete. The question for us today is simple: Will we accept the grace of Jesus Christ and allow his glory to transfigure our hearts?
When God said to King Solomon, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you,” Solomon offers a response that is profound…inviting us today to consider how we carry out the Lord’s plan for our lives as we serve others with God’s grace.
Martha’s conversation with Jesus reveals the depth of her friendship and the conviction of her faith. May her example inspire us to turn to the Lord in our need with the same trust.
As Jesus explains the meaning of the parable of the sower, he provides us with an opportunity to reflect on what needs to be removed from our hearts as we cultivate our lives for the Lord.
God does the planting, and it’s our job to do what we can to help the seeds grow. What’s the Lord planting in your heart today? What are the obstacles? What can you do to cultivate a harvest worth of the Lord?
Jesus addresses a teachable moment when he explains that glory in Heaven comes from offering one’s life in charity and service. James and John will drink from the cup of of Christ, reminding us that every time we offer our lives for others we follow the example of Christ.
1st Reading – Solomon asks God for wisdom and understanding
Psalm – “Lord, I love your commands.”
2nd Reading – All things, good and bad, work for good for those who love God
Gospel – When you find the pearl of great price, you sell everything you have to acquire it
If the Lord would grant you one request, what would you ask for? We can learn a lot about ourselves by what we seek, and sometimes we discover when we get it that it might not have truly been the best thing. Yet, it is the desire in our hearts, however, that tells us if we are on the right track.
Solomon asked to be wise and understanding…a wonderful response!
Jesus uses the parable of the pearl to remind us that there are some things in life so precious that other wishes and requests pale in comparison. With this in mind, here are a couple of thoughts to consider:
What is it you often wish for?
Are there any blessings in your life that you might be taking for granted?
Do you have your priorities organized? Are the most important things getting your time, effort and attention?
God will take the sum of our lives – good and bad – and bless it with grace. As we seek the Lord today, may we bring our hearts and offer ourselves….so that our response will draw us closer to Jesus Christ and one another.
Every gardener encounters weeds, and the Lord uses this image in the Gospel of Matthew to remind us that in the garden of our hearts we have a daily opportunity to pull out what does not belong.
The Gospel of John recounts how Mary Magdalene was the first to meet the Risen Lord. Her conversion and witness inspire us: no matter what our past has been, God’s grace can touch our hearts and change our lives!
Three Great Things 