THE HOUR HAS COME TO BE GLORIFIED!
Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, priest
My dear encountered couples:
You do a lot for others, don’t you? Or at least you try. You pray for them, you worry about them, you go out of your way for them. Are you appreciated? Is your worth noticed? Jesus in his prayer seems to indicate he wasn’t much appreciated.
“Father, the hour has come! Give glory to your Son that your Son may give glory to you... I have given you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. Do you now, Father, give me glory at your side, a glory I had with you before the world began.” And Jesus went to heaven where he found appreciation.
Jesus had done more for people than anyone in history. Yet he was appreciated by few. Only after his ascension into heaven did he receive the glory and acclaim he deserved. While he was visibly and physically on earth, as much as he showed his love for people, as many miracles as he performed, many people still turned away from him. Only after he had gone to his Father did their eyes really begin to open as to who and what he was. Jesus had to leave so that people could really appreciate him and believe in him.
Don’t feel bad if you are not appreciated and your worth not believed in. Jesus had to go to his Father to receive glory and honor. If you don’t receive the appreciation you deserve in this life, you will in the next. Your goodness and worth will be recognized forever. Continue doing the good works you are now doing.
The first reading from Paul to the Philippians offers a prayer that is perfect for these unsettling times: “Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
