But,
brethren, from all that might be said of His character I single out one point
and beg you to notice that. He loved to praise, He loved to reward. He knew
what was in man, He best knew men's faults and yet He was the warmest in their
praise. When He worked a miracle He would grace it with Thy faith hath saved
thee, that it might almost seem the receiver's work, not His. He said of
Nathanael that he was an Israelite without guile; He that searches hearts said
this, and yet what praise that was to give! He called the two sons of Zebedee
Sons of Thunder, a kind and stately and honorable name! We read of nothing
thunder-like that they did except, what was sinful, to wish fire down from
heaven on some sinners, but they deserved the name or He would not have given
it, and He has given it to them for all time. Of John the Baptist He said that his
greater was not born of women. He said to Peter, Thou art Rock, and rewarded a
moment's acknowledgment of him with the lasting headship of His Church. He
defended Magdalen and took means that the story of her generosity should be
told forever. And though He bids us say we are unprofitable servants, yet He
Himself will say to each of us, Good and faithful servant, well done.
And
this man whose picture I have tried to draw for you, brethren, is your God. He
was your maker in time past; hereafter He will be your judge. Make Him your
hero now. Take some time to think of Him; praise Him in your hearts. You can
over your work or on your road praise Him, saying over and over again, Glory be
to Christ's body; Glory be the body of the Word made flesh; Glory to the body
suckled at the Blessed Virgin's breasts; Glory to Christ's body in its beauty; Glory to Christ's body in its weariness; Glory to Christ's body in its
Passion, death, and burial; Glory to Christ's body risen; Glory to Christ's
body in the Blessed Sacrament; Glory to Christ's soul; Glory to His genius
and wisdom; Glory to His unsearchable thoughts; Glory to His saving words;
Glory to His sacred heart; Glory to its courage and manliness; Glory to its
meekness and mercy ; Glory to its every heartbeat, to its joys and sorrows,
wishes, fears; Glory in all things to Jesus Christ.
Excerpts from a homily by Gerard Manley Hopkins.
