Glorified

Welcome to this guided meditation, drawing inspiration from John 12: 20-33. Let us take a moment to center ourselves and open our hearts to the message within these sacred words.

20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew, then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain, but if it dies it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.

27 “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say: ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.*

In this passage, Jesus speaks of his impending death on the cross and the purpose it serves. As he is lifted up on the cross, he will draw all people to himself. He says, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified." The word "glorified" here speaks to the divine purpose and fulfillment of Jesus' mission on earth.
As we meditate on the word "glorified," let us consider what it means to surrender ourselves to the divine and embrace the fullness of God's glory or purpose for our lives.

What are the areas of your life where you struggle to see God's glory shining through? Is it in moments of suffering or uncertainty? Is it in times of grief or loss? Is it in the midst of challenges or trials?

Allow any doubts or fears that may be clouding your vision to surface. Make no judgments about these thoughts or feelings. Release them to God. Invite the light of God's glory to illuminate your path. Imagine the radiance of divine glory or presence surrounding you, filling you with peace and reassurance.

What have you done in the past when you struggled to see God’s glory? Did you wait for God to return? Did you surrender your inability to hear or see? Did you seek God through prayer and study or sit in quiet contemplation? Could those things help you now to embrace the fullness of God’s glory?

May we be reminded of the beauty and majesty of God's glory, shining brightly in the darkest of times. May we open our hearts to receive the streams of light to enter the darkness. May we praise God for all of God’s glory. 

*New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America.