A healthy glow

You can scarecely walk through the cosmetics department of a store with out hearing a salesperson wax enthusiastically about how this or that product will give your skin a "healthy glow".

Unless the product contains lethal amounts of radium or enough reflective paint for a highway, it is unlikely that this "glow" could compare to what is described in today's first reading (Exodus 34:29-35): the glow of Moses' face after he looks upon God.

Our own encounters with God in prayer may rarely (if ever) be as dramatic as those of Moses, but if we are open to his grace, these encounters will always have an effect on us, in various ways and various degrees.

Moreover, if this effect on us is apparent to others as we give witness to Christ, then the effectiveness of our witness can be greatly enhanced. (A "glowing" Christian generally makes a better witness than a cranky Christian.)

Of course, there may be times when we need to keep ourselves veiled (figuratively speaking). Sometimes the intimacy of our encounters with God can be so great that they cannot be properly shared with everyone.

This veil, this reticence, however, cannot be absolute and permanent, for Christ calls us to let our light shine before men that they may give glory to our heavenly Father.

May you and I always glow with the glory and for the glory of God.

(adapted from an earlier post)