The Splendour of God

The Splendour of God 

The entrance antiphon for today (Friday of first week of Advent): 

The Lord is coming from heaven in splendour to visit his people, and bring them peace and eternal life.

‘Splendour” what an evocative word this is.  Often it is used to describe some sort of pageantry – the splendour of a royal wedding, the splendour of a lavish spectacle, the splendour of cardinals in procession.  It is connected with political (in the widest sense) power.

We use it too to describe something of beauty – the splendour of a sunrise, or a breathtaking view.

I have a friend who uses it with great enthusiasm as a word of praise – a splendid person, idea, meal etc.  She uses it so well that it allows the recipient to feel delight in their bumbling actions, appreciated by her and that they could do and be even better.

This antiphon proclaims how God will visit us – in splendour.  This splendour is not that of power and pageant it is the splendour of the crib.  God redefines power and glory.

The Gospels claim we find the splendour of God in a child born into uncertain times, into a family displaced at the whim of a ruler and living under foreign rule, a family so threatened with death so they had to escape.  But despite all that, the new life of the baby gives hope and a family is formed in which love, protection and wisdom abide and grow.

Representations of the crib usually have an ox and an ass as part of the display.  This is not just a sentimental idea.  It refers to Isaiah 1:3 - ‘the ox knows its owner, and an ass, its master’s manger; but Israel does not know, my people has not understood’.  We are asked to see this domestic scene with the eyes of God who comes in splendour in Jesus.  So contradictory.

Perhaps this is closer to the use of splendour used by my friend.  The splendour of God comes in ways that have little to do with pageantry, display of dominating power or hubris.  The splendour of God resides in the broken ones of this world; wherever forgiveness, love, compassion, care for others are found; where sisters and brothers call an end to displacement, exploitation, violence in all forms. It is found when we know in our deepest self how God delights in us, gives us God’s own life and power to see and be the splendour of God.

Then perhaps we can see the splendour and beauty of this earth and each sister and brother.