Ut In Omnibus Glorificetur Dei

Once upon a time, it was not unusual to find U.I.O.G.D. written on the top of a page of a letter, school assignment (if you were in Catholic school!), etc.  What do the letters, and the Latin phrase it stands for, mean? 

So that in all things God may be glorified.  This quote, found at the conclusion of Chapter 57 of the Rule of St. Benedict where he is warning against the evil of avarice and echoes the words found in 1 Peter 4:11 where he is encouraging Christian charity. 

So for us, what does it mean?  Quite simply, that in all that we do -- every thought, action, word, deed -- we need to give glory to God.  And He will reward our actions. 

Is it simple, no.  Is it something that we all need to strive for, yes.  Will we fail at times, yes.  Should we become discouraged and quit, no.  Why?  Because as we grow in grace and virtue, we become more like Him who in His great love created us out of the dust of the earth. 

Ut in omnibus glorificetur Dei! 

Lord, give us the grace to properly glorify You!