"They will proclaim my glory to the nations" (Isaiah 66:20)
There are several themes
running through this Sunday’s liturgy and the one that spoke most to me was the
call to “proclaim my glory to the nations” and the invitation to be a witness “to
my glory”v.19.
I found these words of life
extraordinary – really like a rallying call to us, coming almost immediately
after our Cardinal consecrated Ireland
Is the Lord calling us to
follow in the footsteps of Jesus as the Gospel today tells us - “Through towns
and villages Jesus went preaching…” Lk.13.22 proclaiming the glory of his
Father to both Jews and Gentiles alike.
Remember how after the
miracle at the Wedding of Cana ‘He let his glory be seen and his disciples
believed in him’ Jn.2.12 and later he prays ‘Father, I have given them
the glory you gave to me that they may be one as we are one’ - thus he prepared
and strengthened them for their future work of Evangelisation.
How are we to be witnesses
of this glory of Jesus today? For some
it will mean going ‘through our towns and villages, teaching and sharing the
good news that we have a Father who loves us, who in fact is madly in love with
us. Just take the time to look into the
face of a little flower - it ‘has neither spun or woven its own beauty, yet not
even Solomon in all his glory is arrayed like it.’ Jesus himself tells us ‘there is no need to
be afraid Lk.12.2 little flock, for it has pleased your father
to give you the kingdom.’
The prophet Isaiah also
tells us about this good news so beautifully, especially in these times when
sad and indeed horrific news seems to catch the limelight in our news reels and
papers.
“Arise and shine out for your light has come, the
glory of the Lord is rising on you
though night (recession, murders, abortions,
break-up of family life) still covers
our land and darkness, our people.”
Is Mary, Queen of Ireland,
telling us –
“above you the Lord now rises and above you his glory appears – lift up your eyes and look around, all are assembling and coming towards you, your sons from far away, and your daughters being tenderly carried. At this sight you will grow radiant – The Lord will be your everlasting light – your days of mourning over – your people will all be upright, possessing our land forever. I, the Lord, have spoken and in due time I shall act” Cf. Is.60
The prophet has a word for
us too, who are not itinerant preachers, but who can still proclaim the good
news in our homes and work places. Listen
to Mary, our Mother, speak through him:
“Your integrity will be before you and the glory of the Lord behind you, cry and the Lord will answer, call and pray and he will say – I am here. If you do away with the yoke, the clenched fist, the wicked word. If you give your bread to the hungry and relief to the oppressed, your light will rise in the darkness – the Lord himself will always guide you, giving you relief in desert places”. cf. Is.58
We can also proclaim and
praise his glory by constant thanksgiving – Our Lady told the little Arab slave
girl, Blessed Maryam – “always be content”
All our deeds, actions,
thoughts and desires have the power to root us more deeply in His love and
their fruits flow out to others – and then –Some day the veil will fall and we
may cross the eternal threshold where we shall sing in the lap of Eternal Love
- God will give us a new name, the one
he promised to those who prove victorious.
What will it be? Praise of His
Glory. (Elizabeth
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