Meditation

"I ask God from the wealth of his glory
to give you power through his Spirit
to be strong in your inner selves,
and I pray that Christ
will make his home in your hearts through faith...
[that you] be completely filled with the very nature of God." Today's English Version


Why use the Today's English Version, also known as the Good News Bible? In the past there was a paraphrase called The Good News, but Today's English Version (TEV) is a translation, not a paraphrase. The translators were careful to use the most clear and unambiguous words to render the truest meaning of the words, without any doctrinal slant. Also excluded was any effort to reproduce in English the sentence structure and grammar of biblical languages. So far, this is the only translation I have found that uses the phrase "inner selves."

A new way of seeing things; a different slant; the path not taken; all of these describe a moment offering repentance. The grace comes by acting, holding the attention upon that new way. That must be what is asked of us when a moment of graces comes--keep your mind free and open to God. Let God act. That is being "strong in your inner selves."

"I ask God from the wealth of his Glory to give you power through his Spirit." Imagine it, the gift of strength in our inner selves, is a direct gift of the Spirit from the "Glory" of God. Glory? Inner strength, or grace, is an act originating in the Glory of God? From God, yes, but from the Glory of God?

How extraordinary that is. Simple humans given something from the Glory of God. But, is glory just another empty term? First look at the dictionary meaning.

Glory

n. pl. glo·ries

1. Great honor, praise, or distinction accorded by common consent; renown.

2. Something conferring honor or renown.

3. A highly praiseworthy asset: Your wit is your crowning glory.

4. Adoration, praise, and thanksgiving offered in worship.

5. Majestic beauty and splendor; resplendence: The sun set in a blaze of glory.

6. The splendor and bliss of heaven; perfect happiness.

7. A height of achievement, enjoyment, or prosperity: ancient Rome in its greatest glory.

8. A halo, nimbus, or aureole. Also called gloriole.

intr.v. glo·riedb, glo·ry·ing, glo·ries

To rejoice triumphantly; exult: a sports team that gloried in its hard-won victory.

We see from the first definition that it is "great honor" to have glory. To receive part of that glory is also an honor and a distinction. Adoration, praise and thanksgiving are all parts of worship, so the Glory of God in us helps us to worship more fully. It may open us to the full splendor and beauty in all of creation, so that we might enjoy it. Glory in us will help us achieve our vocation with truth.

The last to mention in this post is the phrase "that Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith." It seems to imply that along with the glory of God making us strong in our inner selves, we also receive Christ into our hearts. What a generous offering of self (for God) and what blessed people we are to receive.