A Sacrifice of Praise

“O God, let all the nations praise you!” Psalm 67:3

“The world is charged with the grandeur of God.

    It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;

    It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil”

Thus begins probably the most well known of Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poems. It was written in 1877 and published posthumously. He converted to Roman Catholicism and became estranged from his devout Anglican family. In 1877, he was ordained a Jesuit priest. His poems are the result of prayer and meditation using the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius de Loyola. His highly original poems expressed his sense of God’s mystery, splendor and mercy. Hopkins desired to glorify God with his pen, and he believed man was created to praise God. 

Truly we are created to praise God. We are encouraged in the Bible to offer a sacrifice of praise. How wonderful if we use our many gifts to glorify God like Gerard Manley Hopkins did. We can sing songs, make art, cook, dance, play the guitar, study well, and do excellent work all for the glory of God! May we please You, Father, as we use the gifts You have so lovingly bestowed on us, to give You praise and honor You!