Coming into the Presence of God: Reflections on the Our Father Prayer - Part One

It has been a few months since I posted anything on The Rosary Board. This summer has been one of much change and hope for me personally. I have investigated a few more versions of the Rosary. Stay tuned for that. It is amazing the heritage of our Faith.

I hope your times at prayer have been fruitful. They certainly have been for me, even at times when God says nothing. There is a story of an old farmer that came to the church where St. John Vianney was. Fr. Vianney observed the farmer sitting quietly before the Tabernacle. He asked him, “What do you see?” The farmer replied, “I look at Him, and He looks at me.” 

Coming into God’s presence isn’t always easy. The more distractions life throws at us, the more we can get weighed down with the cares of this life.

Our Father Who Art in Heaven . . .

The reaction of that humble farmer is one of a lover for their beloved. Humility, which is the opposite of pride, will attract God’s full attention. It is in this state that God’s grace can have it’s full affect. We cannot be demanding our own way. The other day I was reflecting on the life of prayer and why we need to always be filled with God’s love. It is easy to get all wrapped up in “doing good," feeding the poor and doing many different things on behalf of the church and community. These are important. Yet the apostle Paul states that, “If I give away all I have, and if  I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing” (1 Cor. 13:3 RSV througout). That is why diligence is required. A relationship with Jesus Christ is more than just “accepting Him as your personal Savior.” It is abiding in Him (John 15:4). Abiding in the love of Jesus glorifies the Father (v. 8-9). Think about this the next time you say, Our Father who art in heaven . . .

Hallowed be Thy Name

Another reaction that occurs when one comes into God’s presence is unworthiness. On the lake of Gennesaret, Jesus preached from Simon Peter’s boat (Luke 5:1-3). Right after that Jesus told him to set out onto the lake and cast their nets. Simon Peter, reluctantly agreed to obey Jesus, even after explaining their previous efforts at fishing for the day (v. 4-5). They cast their nets and caught such a great amount of fish that the nets began to break. After the struggle to bring in the nets, Simon Peter’s response tells us a lot about our own condition. “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord (v. 8). Truly coming face to face with Christ causes a deep examination of conscience. Jesus knows all and sees all. He knows the heart. The apostle John had a face to face encounter with the glorified Jesus according to Revelation 1:17. The prophet Isaiah was practically reduced to a puddle on the floor when he came into God’s presence (Isa. 6:4-5). Imagine one of the seraphim at God’s throne saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts” (Isa. 6:3). The reactions of Peter, John and Isaiah give a glimpse into the statement, “Hallowed (holy) be Thy Name.”

Many years later one of those angels Isaiah encountered came to a young virgin. He said to her, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you (Luke 1:28). He had appeared earlier to Zechariah. The angel said that his name was Gabriel and who stands in the presence of God (v. 19). Gabriel was sent on a mission regarding the salvation of world. The grace that was in Mary is reflected in her response; "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word" (v. 38).

Approaching Jesus in prayer may seem easy enough. But, if we have views that are contrary to the Truth, we have a problem with Christ or we do not see His holiness. When we abide in Christ and bear much fruit, we can ask God for what we really need (John 15). Pray for an increase of faith, hope and love. It is by this we ascend to God. So what remains? (Hint: 1 Cor. 13:13).

I am looking forward to sharing with you some of the new things I have learned about the Rosary this summer. I am even considering a podcast presenting these rosaries. If you have any suggestions regarding these reflections or have ideas for a podcast presentation, I would appreciate your thoughts.

Thank you

Ave Maria!

Praised Be Jesus Christ!

Jesus and Mary, Protect and Save the Unborn!