Reflections from the Heart – January 12, 2025

The Baptism of the Lord
by Fr. Ivan Olmo

“After Jesus had been baptized and was praying, the Holy Spirit descended upon him and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” I think and wonder how prayer is such a marvelous and incredible gift. It is such a blessing to me. I do not know how I could live or function without prayer. However, I also realize I did not always think prayer was such a marvelous or incredible gift or could appreciate how amazing prayer can truly be. Praying was not automatic in my early days nor my go to in every situation or circumstance. It seemed to be that last minute resort or the thing to do when everything else failed or that thing I had to do when nothing else seemed to work. It was only in those desperate times and urgent moments that I found myself in a church on my knees begging, negotiating, pleading and promising better ways and better behavior if only I could obtain the answer to my request. That is what I used to call praying. It is so sad to note, but honest to confess, that prayer only seemed to work when I seemed to get my way. Now, praise God, I confess how prayer is oxygen to me. It is better than food and sweeter than any nectar or passion fruit. Prayer is the immediacy of God. His closeness, his intimacy, his profoundly real presence, the source and summit of all I really need, long for and desire. Prayer is consoling, revealing, healing and uplifting. Prayer is a person, an ear, a heart, a shoulder to cry on and a dependable person that I can always faithfully rely on to give me good counsel, helpful guidance and the right and only answer I need to know. Prayer is life giving, lifesaving, life changing but only if you pray with an open mind and generous heart. Prayer requires patience, silence, attention, a listening spirit and a receptive disposition. You cannot pray or say you pray if you are not truly discerning God’s plan or will for you, but have already made up your mind, have determined the answer or already made the decision. That could appear close-minded, negotiated, or being manipulative. Prayer assumes the only reason you pray is to be near or closer to God. Prayer is not uttering many words, but rather listening carefully all of the time, so you can hear God speak and say, I love you, “with you I am well pleased.”