The Formula for Spiritual Freedom and Greater Glory

Why do average people become glorious human beings?
Why do some sinners become great saints?
What is the secret to receiving, achieving and fully living in the glory of God most high?

I can tell you personally what restrains a man from becoming glorious, saintly, and fulfilling the Holy Will of God.
Why? Because I have attempted to achieve the glory of God in the wrong way…repeatedly… for years.

Put simply: I wanted the glory for myself. I wanted to receive it and keep it—for myself.
Yet, as St. Paul tells us, “What glory do you have that you did not receive?” 1 Cor 4:7

I remember the day when all of that changed.

I struggled with measurements, numbers, likes, fans, followers, or a lack thereof.
I allowed the measurements to measure me…or more accurately, I used those measurements, whether they be my paycheck, my subs, my house’s square footage, my videos shares, my book sales, to measure my value, worth, identity.

Regardless as to how good one measurement may be, there were always many others that condemned me, accused me of being an utter failure.

My old spiritual director, Fr. John Joseph de Porres (now deceased) gave me an antique statue of Our Lady of Grace.
Mary’s hands are stretched out, downward on each side, with the palms of her hands wide open.
I decided to place that statue on a pedestal in my home chapel.

One morning, as I prayed the Rosary, I cast a glance toward the statue.
It was then that an illuminating thought pierced my soul, so effectively, that this thought has become my formula for freedom.

Let me explain.

Mary is “Clothed with the Sun.” Rev 12:1
That is—she is covered in the glory of God the Son.
God cloaks her with His glory.

Yet, open handed, she distributes this glory to mankind.
Grace received is grace given.
She withholds nothing for herself.
Not a sliver of divine benediction.

Humanity, receiving much grace from her open and generous hands, lavishly bestows upon her honor, and gratitude.
Yet, Mary with arms outstretched and palms wide open, reserving nothing for herself, returns those honors to God.

God, seeing that Mary is most trustworthy in dispensing His glory to His children, grants Mary even more glory.
He clothes her more fully, more radiantly with the Son that never sets.

She, with arms outstretched and palms wide open, distributes the grace received to us, who dwell in this valley of tears.
We honor her, and she, reserving no honor for herself, gives all honor to God.

Mary has no glory of her own and yet is most glorious.
Mary retains no praise for her own and yet is the most praised creature.
Mary is entrusted with more grace and in turn she gives more grace and becomes more graced…for she is “full of grace.” Luke 1:42

The secret to living a life of greatness, glory, and honor is to reserve none of these things for yourself.
Give the grace you receive from God to man, and man when man honors you, give all that you receive to the Ultimate Giver; and the Giver will entrust you with even more glory to give.

For this reason, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
God desires that you give of “the manifold grace of God” to others. 1 Pet 4:10

The proof of sonship is trust.
Trustworthy sons become the most trusted spiritual fathers.
God is testing you to determine if you are “faithful in small responsibilities, that he can give you greater responsibilities.” Luke 16:10

Give God your sufferings, your glory, your trials and your triumphs and He will clothe you in the glory that you do not possess.

Withhold nothing for yourself and you will have everything.