For all on earth
All who are baptized in Christ, regardless of their origins, belong to the people of God (cf. Eph 2:19–22). Yet, just as they are members of the Body of Christ, they are also called to live out the faith. For one can be baptized and still not live the faith. Baptism introduces us into the life of faith, but this is only the beginning. It calls each baptized person to a constant growth and maturity in faith. Faith in Christ is a knowledge of the truth revealed by God: the truth of creation and of life.
The Creator of the universe and of all creatures, both visible and invisible, manifests His glory, splendor, and beauty in and through all of His creation, just as the Psalm declares: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of His hands” (cf. Psalm 19). Did you know that the constellations that shine brightly on a clear night are composed of thousands of galaxies?
Why, then, when Jesus called and appointed His apostles, did He not speak of the heavens or of all the celestial bodies in the sky? Wait a moment — don’t we say, “Our Father, who art in heaven…”? And the Gospel tells us that Jesus “went out to the mountain to pray” (cf. Lk 6:12–16). Why the mountain? Perhaps because the mountain offers a solid, unshakable foundation, symbolizing God as a safe, secure, and immovable place. But, setting aside where Jesus stands physically as He communicates with God in prayer, let us focus for a moment on the very act of Jesus’ prayer. From the testimony of the Gospel, we see that for Jesus, prayer was of paramount importance. And we might venture to say that it was not only the quantity of time but the quality of that prayer. What does Jesus teach us with this example? Can we deny that Jesus’ manner and depth of prayer leave no room for superficiality? Jesus was not a superficial person. Before looking at the world outside Himself, He contemplated His inner world and met with God within.
I have seen people praying like Jesus — in silence and reverence. To witness someone praying as Jesus did is inspiring and inviting to one’s own reflection. With Jesus’ example of spending the night in prayer, we see that we live and move in two distinct worlds: the visible and the invisible, the material and the immaterial, the natural and the supernatural.
When was the last time I prayed like Jesus? What is the mountain I frequent when I converse with God?
