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Thursday, June 14, 2007

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2 Corinthians 3:15—4:1, 3-6
Psalm 85
Matthew 5:20-26

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his burden is light (mt 11:30)

"All of us, gazing on the Lord's glory with unveiled faces, are being transformed from glory to glory into His very image by the Lord Who is the Spirit." —2 Corinthians 3:18

The biblical word "glory" can be translated as "weight," for example, a covering heavy enough to be felt. The Israelites sang of the Lord: "He has covered Himself in glory" (Ex 15:1, JB).

As we bask in the Lord's glory and worship Him "with unveiled faces," for example, in eucharistic adoration, we are clothed in God's light (2 Cor 3:18; 4:6). We are covered with the weight of God's glory, as was Moses (Ex 33:11; 34:29ff). In this sense, we can say that His burden is light; that is, the weight of His glory which covers us is the light reflecting from the face of God.

Jesus says, "You are the light of the world" (Mt 5:14). He shines in your heart so you will "make known the glory of God shining on the face of Christ" (2 Cor 4:6). Recall when you were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4), and it was easy to radiate God's love to all. People were attracted to the light of Christ shining from your face (see Is 60:3). You were a "lamp, set aflame and burning bright" for Jesus (Jn 5:35). Eventually the weight, or burden, of glory simply became the weight of always having to be "on" for Jesus. You grew weary under this burden, and looked for relief outside of Jesus. You fell from your early love (Rv 2:4). You avoided those who had flocked to you for a glimpse of the light of Christ shining through you.

Does this describe you? Have you put your light under a bushel basket? (Mt 5:15) Come to Jesus (Mt 11:28). He loves you! He will refresh you, for His burden is light, that is, the light of glory shining from His face, a light burden to bear (Mt 11:29-30).

Prayer:  Jesus, be the Lord of my face. Set my life on fire.

Promise:  "The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." —2 Cor 3:17

Praise:  Marilyn repented of fornication and returned to Jesus, her First Love (see Rv 2:4).

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 22, 2007

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