Glory be to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit
as it was in the beginning
is now, and ever shall be
world without end.
Amen.
The “Glory Be” is an incredibly fantastic prayer. It is a classified as a prayer that praises God in a Trinitarian format (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). It is often used as a natural conclusion to a period of prayer; for example, at the conclusion of a decade of the Rosary. It can also, however, be recited on its own, allowing the praying individual to utter a short, concise theological laud to the Eternal Godhead.
It is important to first understand what exactly the prayer is about! To accomplish this, we need to look at the very first word; ‘glory.’ What does it mean, and why is it so important that it be given to God? The Latin word Gloria means “fame, renown, great praise, or honor.” As the language developed, this word quickly took on the theological sense of “the splendor of God, praise offered to God, worship.” With very few exceptions, ‘glory’ is a word used almost exclusively in conversations about God, namely, as the proper response of human beings in light of God’s great magnificence!
God is worthy of praise and glory, not because he created us and loves us and showers us will all grace and blessings…. God is worthy of praise and glory because he is God! In the beginning, before anything was created; Glory be to God. At this moment of history, even in the face of so many challenges and so much rejection of God by people throughout the world; Glory be to God. Always, at every moment, even after the world ends, forever; Glory be to God. When we recite the “Glory Be Prayer”, we unite our minds and voices with all of creation, as we offer our worship and honor to our Great God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
