The glory of God

In the Gospel text for Sunday, March 29, Jesus talks a lot about glory. What is glory?

The best I can come up with is "shining". In the Hebrew scriptures, people who encounter God or angels often describe a presence so bright it's impossible to look at. The glory of God is like the sun. We always know it's there, but we can't look directly at the sun or we'd be blinded.

In the Gospel passage for Sunday, Jesus speaks of his glorification. He's preparing for his death, so he's thinking about what's coming next for him. First there will be suffering and death. But then comes glorification. In the Gospel of John, the cross is the scene of the glorification of Jesus. In other words, the high point in John is not really the resurrection so much as it is the exalted death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus is glorified in his death.

Jesus loved us so much that he died for us on the cross. When we see the cross, it reminds us of Jesus' great love for us.

Collect for Mission (BCP, p. 101):
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.