The most appropriate gift

 

I think everyone has at one time or another, had a song stuck in their head almost to the distraction of everything else in their daily life.  The exercise can be annoying to the point of frustration!  I’ve had that experience every day for the last two weeks since Christmas Mass.  The song I couldn’t get out of head until I started writing this reflection today was the “Gloria”. 

Historically, the Gloria is known as the “Angelic Hymn” because it contains the words sung from the Heavens by the angels on the night of Christ’s birth.  Luke 2:13 reads: “And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

The Gloria is a beautifully ancient prayer that is meant to point our hearts towards a spirit of awe.  It reminds us, gathered in the pews of the church, that we are called to praise and glorify the maker of our hearts and souls.

The irony of my experience was made manifest today, two weeks after the birth of Jesus, when the Church celebrates the Epiphany, and the visit of the three kings to honor Him.  I imagined what the Magi felt when they walked into the stable where Jesus was born.  When “they prostrated themselves and did him homage,” two things they didn’t do for Herod, by the way (Matthew 2:11).  Despite the humble surrounding and humble parents, they recognized the King and presented their most appropriate gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  “Our response to the Father’s offer of salvation must be that of the Magi: To proclaim Christ’s Kingship, to adore his Godhead, and to acknowledge his mortality” (Saint Odilo of Cluny).  Despite the humble surrounding and humble parents, they recognized the king and presented their most appropriate gifts.

When I read the Gospel for today, I realized the reason I’ve been singing the Gloria so much!  It has been my own appropriate ‘gift’ to the baby Jesus.  We sing the Gloria because it is a song of absolute joy and praise to God – what better way to start and end each day than to glorify Him!

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.

We praise You, we bless You, we adore You, we glorify You.  We give you thanks for Your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; You take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; You are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.

For You alone are the Holy One, You alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.