1 John 5:5-13 / Mark 1:6-11
Every now and then, we hear this phrase - storm heaven.
It probably means that so much fervent prayers for a particular need or intention is called for such that it creates a storm in heaven, figuratively of course, and to make sure that God hears the prayers.
In the history of Israel, God's people had stormed heaven on countless occasions with prayers of lamentation, prayers for deliverance, prayers of repentance, etc.
Over and above these fervent prayers was the prayer for the coming of the Messiah.
In today's gospel, we saw how that prayer was answered.
The scene at the baptism of Jesus was dramatic: the heavens tore open, the Spirit descended, and there was a voice from heaven.
The Messiah, our Saviour, has come and is now in our midst.
Yet very often, Jesus stands among us and we are not aware of His presence.
We storm heaven with our prayers and look upward for the answer when Jesus is in our midst and even right before our eyes.
Yes Jesus is right before us and He sends us the Holy Spirit to open our ears so that we can hear Him and our eyes so that we can see Him.
May we storm our hearts so that our hearts will be opened to the Holy Spirit.