Lift up your Eyes

Scripture/Bible:  When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son that the Son may glorify thee, 2 since thou hast given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom thou hast given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. 4 I glorified thee on earth, having accomplished the work which thou gavest me to do; 5 and now, Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made. John 17:1-5

Reflection:  Where is heaven? Who knows whether heaven is upwards questioned the seemingly wise theologian?

Our modern day experts take great pleasure in questioning everything; whether it is the hour of prayer or the hour of glory or the location of heaven.

What does it matter to us who have found the truth; Christ Jesus: “the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

When the scripture tell us that Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven, then it is. The divine revealed Son, who was always in the bosom of the Father has revealed to us that which is objectively true and safe to practice.

So when Jesus looks heaven wards it could be a dwelling of God in the heavenly or higher above the heavens. 

Heaven is and was always considered a place up above, therefore the Psalmist would pray: “Thou whose glory above the heavens is chanted.”  Ps 8:1

With Jesus with us, it would be good sometimes to pray like him lifting up our eyes to the heavens. In doing so we will be acknowledging at least one thing necessary for his ongoing work of salvation in us: “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isa 55:9

Prayer: “To thee I lift up my eyes, O thou who art enthroned in the heavens!” Ps 123:1

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Do I Pray?

Scripture: In these days he went out to the mountain to pray; and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, he called his disciples, and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles.      Luke 6:12-13

Reflection:  Some people consult an expert before a major decision, some refer the matter to professionals, and some do a case study and refer to volumes and books on the subject.  There are some who require no help from any quarters because they themselves are experts or at least consider themselves to be one.  But rarely, do people refer their action to God.

In the Gospel of today we find Jesus, who is God in our midst spending a night in prayer before a major decision in life.  

From the action we know the importance of the decision, a decision which will have eternal ramifications; a perfect choice and blend of all types of characters, yet united in a common mission, viz. to proclaim the Gospel of Salvation by being his witness.

If he needed to pray then we too who are mere mortals with limited vision and capability, despite all our achievements and talents, need to have a relook at our life style and decision making process.

Am I referring all my actions to God?

Prayer:  Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us