Look Up to the Mountains

Have you ever noticed how ‘mountains’ have a prominent place in Scripture?

The readings for the second Sunday in Lent, for instance, tell the story of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac on Mt. Moriah, and of Jesus’s transfiguration on Mt. Tabor. These are just two of the many significant events in salvation history, in both the Old Testament (OT) and the New Testament (NT), that often occurred on or around mountains.

Scriptural mountains

Significant mountain settings in the OT include Noah’s ark resting on Mt. Arafat, Moses receiving the 10 Commandments at Mt. Sinai, Moses seeing the Promised Land from Mt. Nebo, and Elijah challenging the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel.

Two mountains also form the foundation for the holy city of Jerusalem. One is, again, Mt. Moriah, on which Solomon also built his temple.  The other is Mt. Zion which is significant for both OT and NT events. It contains sacred sites such as David’s tomb and the site of the Last Supper.

In the NT, Jesus gives the Sermon on the Mount on a hillside called the Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the Sea of Galilee. He suffers on the night of his crucifixion on the Mount of Olives where he also ascended into heaven from its slope. And Jesus’ crucifixion took place on Golgotha, also known as Mt. Calvary, a hill shaped like a skull.

Altogether the Bible mentions mountains more than 500 times.  These biblical “mountains” may be true mounts or just large hilltops. The point is, however, that they are significant elevations above the plain which have spiritual significance for what happened on them or what they represented to the faithful.

The concept of the “holy mountain” is seen throughout scripture. Mountains symbolize divine presence and authority in the Bible. God used mountains to get people’s attention, to listen to his word and to instruct. Such high places also provided protection and refuge for the chosen people.

What is it about mountains?

Mountains have always drawn me to them. In serving as a volunteer Ranger in Rocky Mountain National Park and a Hikemaster with the YMCA of the Rockies for 25 years I have a multitude of Mountain experiences. This includes hundreds of hikes up to mountain summits.

Reflecting on those experiences, mountains stimulate many feelings and thoughts from a faith perspective. They provide much spiritual symbolism.

The physical journey of hiking up a mountain provides opportunities for practicing perseverance, overcoming obstacles, and self-reflection. These same traits are also necessary for one’s spiritual journey toward heaven.

The sheer awe, wonder and majesty that mountains project can’t help but make one think of God’s creative energy. Genesis 1:31 states:

“God looked at everything that he made, and found it very good.”

Looking up at a mountain peak from ones base, one can easily imagine you are looking up to the divine heaven. It’s an upward orientation that symbolizes our spiritual quest in seeking God.

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the one bringing good news, Announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, saying to Zion, “Your God is King”!” (Isaiah 52:7).

Mountain lessons

The physical challenges of summiting a 14,000-foot peak make one realize the fullness of being alive – tired yes, but fully alive! One can’t help but appreciate how wonderfully our bodies are made by God to have the endurance for such physical efforts.

At the same time, mountains provide a classical lesson in humility. One can see just how small we are in comparison to a mountains’ majesty. There is no question, a daylong 25-mile trek over a mountain teaches one humility. This can especially be the case when snow, hail, thunder, or lightning is encountered. It makes you aware of who is really in charge – God.

Shared family mountain experiences are usually remembered forever and can help solidify family spiritual bonds. They can serve as a family heritage that gets passed down from children to grandchildren. I took our baby daughter on her first mountain hike at one month. To this day, our family gatherings always involve hikes up hills and/or mountains at all times of the year.

Mountain experiences provide an encounter with nature that involves all the senses. I believe this, in turn, facilitates an encounter with God in his creation. There can be many opportunities for prayer and contemplation while in the mountains.

A Pope’s Perspective

Pope St. John Paul II loved the great outdoors and he alludes to perfect prayer while in the mountains.

“We can pray perfectly when we are out in the mountains or on a lake and we feel at one with nature. Nature speaks for us or rather speaks to us. We pray perfectly”.

He often talked of the marvelous “book of nature” as a form of Gospel that speaks to us of God.

“I love the mountains: up here one breathes with the pure mountain air the mysterious invitation to faith and conversion.”

St. John Paul II’s allusion to pure mountain air adds another dimension. Being in the mountains can aid in one’s mental acuity. The mountain air helps to clear one’s head. Yes, there is less oxygen in a mountain’s atmosphere, however, once down from higher altitude allows us to see things in a different perspective.

This mental aspect of being in the mountains can be a significant aid when facing a difficult decision or when one is depressed or anxious. I personally observed this with Bosnian refugees suffering from PTSD who I spent a week with hiking in the mountains. The experience provided a needed emotional break and release.

The simple message of mountains

Mountains are the most majestic image of God’s creation. Whether surrounded by mountain tundra or forests, those images serve as visual reminders that there is a God.

“I raise my eyes toward the mountains. From where will my help come?” (Psalms 121:1).

As one ages into their 80’s it’s natural to think more about one’s mortality. I often reflect that when it comes time for God to call me home I hope it is while I am on a hike in the mountains.