Clouds can be a sign of God's presence or, figuratively speaking, a barrier preventing us from "getting through" to God. Clouds present no problem to the prayer of the lowly, for their prayer pierces the clouds. However, clouds repel the prayer of those who are not lowly but proud.

We can surmise that the prayer of many people is not "getting through" to God, for many people pray infrequently. If they were "getting through," they probably would be encouraged to pray always. Who wants to keep calling a phone number when you seldom "get through"? Many of us must not be lowly, or we would be "getting through" and praying more.

Signs of not being lowly are:

• not forgiving,
• not going to Confession often,
• not submitting to the authority of the Lord through the Church,
• focusing on ourselves (see Lk 18:11-12),
• comparing ourselves with others (see Lk 18:11),
• not washing others' feet through service, and
• trying to live the "high life" of affluence and comfort.

Jesus is lowly — from the stable at Bethlehem to the cross on Calvary to appearing as bread and wine in the Eucharist. Be like the lowly Jesus, and your prayer will pierce the clouds.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, March 30, 2004

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 1, 2004