GLORY

Everyone dreams of catching the winning touchdown pass in the SuperBowl or hitting the walk off home run in Game 7 of the World Series. People want that glory. People want the adulation, the recognition, and the love. Shoot, when I was younger I always dreamt I was Hulk Hogan, “the good,” defeating some punk, “the evil.” I wanted to be all-powerful like a superhero and stop all the evildoers.

Recently, I read an article in Catholic San Francisco that said…

“…real glory doesn’t consist in out muscling the bad, or anyone else. When Jesus was being crucified, he was offered precisely the challenge to prove he was special by doing some spectacular gesture that would leave all of his detractors stunned and helpless: ‘If you are the Son of God, prove it, come down off the cross! Save yourself!’
But, with a subtlety easy to miss, the gospels teach a very different lesson. On the cross, Jesus proves he is powerful beyond measure, not by doing some spectacular physical act that leaves everyone helpless to protest, but in a spectacular act of the heart wherein he forgives those who are mocking and killing him. Divine kingship is manifest in forgiveness, not in muscle.”

Good looks, athletic ability, brains can get you a long way. But it won’t get you true glory.

Obviously, I am not a perfect person, but I am constantly reminded of the importance of forgiveness. When someone hurts me, I often let the pain and the bitterness exude from me. That is not healthy. I know I should forgive. Others may not even recognize it. Some might see it as a sign of weakness. But it doesn’t matter what they think.
There is a lot of anger in me that I just have to get over. I have to forgive the refs that called Pierce Holt for holding Emmitt Smith on that 4th down in the 92 Championship game and I also have to forgive friends and family when they make mistakes. Even if they don’t ask for it. Life is too short to hold on to the bitterness. It is easy to do. Being angry can help you not get into the same situation again. But that anger changes you. However, if you can forgive, that also changes you. Forgiveness makes you stand out. Forgiveness is where you truly find glory.