Who may go up the mountain of the LORD?
The
earth is the LORD’s and all it holds,
the
world and those who dwell in it.
For he
founded it on the seas,
established
it over the rivers.
Who may go
up the mountain of the LORD?
Who can
stand in his holy place?
“The clean
of hand and pure of heart,
who has
not given his soul to useless things,
what is
vain.
He will
receive blessings from the LORD,
and
justice from his saving God.
Such is
the generation that seeks him,
that
seeks the face of the God of Jacob.”
Psalm 24
People of old, both Old and New Testament, are often seen seeking out high places, mountain heights as places of prayer. Moses was summoned to the mountain of the Lord to receive the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. Altars were built on high places, for like Moses, it was believed that high places brought them close to God. We see Jesus going up the mountain to pray. It was on Mount Tabor that Peter, James and John saw the transfigured Jesus, bathed in glory, conversing with Moses and Elijah. It was on mount Calvary that Jesus defeated Satan and won for us our salvation. It was from the mountain of the Ascension, after commissioning his disciples, that Jesus returned to the Father.
Lift up
your heads, O gates;
be
lifted, you ancient portals,
that the
king of glory may enter.
Who is
this king of glory?
The
LORD, strong and mighty,
the
LORD, mighty in war.
Lift up
your heads, O gates;
rise up,
you ancient portals,
that the
king of glory may enter.
Psalm 24
It is not necessary to climb real mountains in order to pray. Although, whenever you stand on the lookout platform of some very high peak, you get a sense of being set free from the bondage of the world with all its troubles.
However, a mountain is an excellent metaphor for the challenges facing one who is trying to reach God in prayer. The struggles of our lives often seem insurmountable, rising up before us like some great mountain we must climb. But unless we take the steps to begin, we remain weighed down at the bottom of our world.
Someone decides that they would like to climb a mountain, so they drive to the foot of the mountain, park the car and start climbing. It would not take long before a rescue party would be out looking for them. Climbing a mountain is no easy task. A quick visit to a website on the subject will reveal how much planning, training and equipment one needs even before they take a step up the hill. This might be enough to convince them that climbing mountains is not for them.
The Catholic tradition has a rich resource of guidance and instruction on the practice of prayer, great masters such as Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross, and many others. At first glance, looking into their works on prayer might have a similar intimidating effect as the one facing the challenges of mountain climbing. The teaching these great masters brings to the subject of prayer should not be overlooked. However, their works should not be viewed so much as how-to works, rather as instruments for discernment and understanding of one's own experiences of prayer.
There is a distinction made about prayer having two sides. There is the "ascetical prayer", where the primary initiator of the prayer is the person praying. The other is "mystical prayer", where God is the primary initiator of the prayer. The person who sets out to climb the mountain of prayer does not climb alone. In chapter 9:28 of Luke's gospel, it tells us that Jesus "took" Peter, John and James with him up the mountain to pray. There they experienced the mystical transfiguration of Jesus. Literally, they enter into heavenly glory with Jesus. Such a revelation would not be possible on their own. But with Jesus leading them, it was made so.
As for "how-to's", I have recommended Saint Ignatius' approach to prayer. To climb the mountain of the Lord is both an invitation and a decision. Once the decision has been set:
The Catholic tradition has a rich resource of guidance and instruction on the practice of prayer, great masters such as Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross, and many others. At first glance, looking into their works on prayer might have a similar intimidating effect as the one facing the challenges of mountain climbing. The teaching these great masters brings to the subject of prayer should not be overlooked. However, their works should not be viewed so much as how-to works, rather as instruments for discernment and understanding of one's own experiences of prayer.
There is a distinction made about prayer having two sides. There is the "ascetical prayer", where the primary initiator of the prayer is the person praying. The other is "mystical prayer", where God is the primary initiator of the prayer. The person who sets out to climb the mountain of prayer does not climb alone. In chapter 9:28 of Luke's gospel, it tells us that Jesus "took" Peter, John and James with him up the mountain to pray. There they experienced the mystical transfiguration of Jesus. Literally, they enter into heavenly glory with Jesus. Such a revelation would not be possible on their own. But with Jesus leading them, it was made so.
As for "how-to's", I have recommended Saint Ignatius' approach to prayer. To climb the mountain of the Lord is both an invitation and a decision. Once the decision has been set:
- Choose a time and place and firmly set your foot upon the mountain.
- Take with you the scriptures to map out a path to follow.
- Remember, you do not climb alone. Fix your eyes not on the mountain but on the Lord.
- Do not be intimidated by the heights before you. Ask and the grace you need will be given.
- Discern your climbing, marking well your steps in the light of the masters of prayer and the guidance of fellow climbers.
- Resolve, never to turn back.
Another said to him, "I will follow you Lord but first let me go back and ......"
Jesus
said, “No one who sets (their foot upon the mountain) and looks to what was
left behind is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Lk. 9:62
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