SAINT IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH, BISHOP AND MARTYR (MEMORIAL)

That . . . he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 

Have you ever wondered what it means for God to be glorified in your life? Maybe if you started a soup kitchen, or if you preached the gospel on a podcast every week, or if you did something else impressive, God would be glorified. After all, Paul says in today’s first reading that we’re “created in Christ Jesus for good works that God has prepared in advance” (Ephesians 2:10).

Well, those good works are part of the picture. But they’re not the whole picture. Paul also tells us that the foundational way God is glorified in our lives is when we embrace his mercy and let it change us. God’s immeasurable riches of grace are revealed when we, who were cut off from him by sin, are brought back into fellowship with him (Ephesians 2:4-5). That kindness and mercy, lavished upon us, shows the world how good God is. And by revealing him to the world, it brings glory to him.

We know that we receive God’s mercy through Baptism and whenever we turn to him in repentance. But that’s not the end of it. Every day that awesome mercy can help us glorify the Lord even more as we let it shape our thoughts and actions. God’s mercy and grace shine forth when we go from “following the wishes of the flesh” (Ephesians 2:3) to living as new creations in Christ.

What does this look like? Sometimes God is glorified when our experience of his mercy leads us to be merciful to the people around us. Other times it’s when we have the confidence to reach outside of ourselves to help someone in need. But God can also be glorified in something as simple as our joyful attitude or our ability to stay at peace during a stressful time.

So today, if you feel God is calling you to accomplish something impressive for his kingdom, go right ahead. But know that God is also glorified in you when his mercy is active in your life. So seek it out. Let it change the way you think, speak, and act. That just might be the way the people who know you best will see God’s glory at its brightest.

“Lord, by your mercy, rescue me and help me display the greatness of your glory!”

Ephesians 2:1-10
Psalm 100:1-5
Luke 12:13-21