AUTHENTIC BLESSEDNESS
People always look for someone to attribute something significant to, whether praise or blame. When a kid does something wrong, we tend to ask, “Who is the mother of this kid?” When a child, a teenager or a young adult does something praiseworthy, the thought that fills everyone’s heart is: “How lucky his parents are!”
It is blessedness from the point of view of the admirers — blessedness that is from the outside, blessedness that is a reward from people.
It is a little like what theologians mean when they speak of God’s extrinsic and intrinsic glory. Intrinsic glory is glory that God has in Himself, and of Himself. The former is the glory heaped on Him by the external world of creatures, which include you and me. When we utter praises to God, we afford Him extrinsic glory. It increases in proportion to the number of people who sing His praises, but in reality, there is nothing we can do to increase God’s intrinsic glory. It is glory that emanates from within His very being. God, of course, does not need us to glorify Him. Whether we do so or not, He remains what He is — an infinite Being who possesses in Himself all the ultimates that mortals cannot fully fathom.
In our case, we need to earn people’s esteem and respect, for we have no blessedness other than what is given us — gifts of nature and of grace from our Creator. All praises we might “earn” is something accorded us by others, who, on account of our potential good deeds, proceed to acknowledge them and recognize them through certificates and citations. They all come from outside us; thus, extrinsically given to us by others.
Truth to tell, it actually may not come our way at all. The world is quick to condemn but slow to praise. The best is really to work for authentic blessedness — the kind that comes from within. And the path to it is to hear and observe the Word of God! It is now everyone’s task, not that of others. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB
REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How easy is it for you to give praise and glory to God? To others?
I praise You and glorify You, Lord. But more than that, may my life give You all the glory that You deserve because of what You’ve done in my life.
No comments:
Post a Comment