Monday of the 5th Week of the Year
The Institute
February 8, 2016
ARK IN THE TEMPLE ++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
1st
reading centers on the temple in Jerusalem.
Ø
We
recall it was King Solomon, son & successor of King David, who built the
temple
Ø
But
the temple was viewed as an empty building until the Ark of the Covenant was
brought there
Ø
Ark
was wooden box, containing the 2 tablets of the 10 Commandments God gave to
Moses
Ø
Ark
was thus associated w/ the presence of God
Ø
Bringing
Ark into the temple in Jerusalem made it a sacred space – a space of God’s
presence
Ø
This
is what today’s 1st reading recalls for us
THIS CHAPEL ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
This
leads me to think of our church buildings
Ø
We
see them & this chapel as a sacred space
Ø
It
is a space where we encounter God’s presence
Ø
True,
we do not have an Ark of the Covenant
Ø
But
our Catholic liturgical documents tell us God is present here in four principal
ways
3 PRESENCES ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
1st,
in us, as God’s people
Ø
Jesus
himself says, “Where two or three are
gathered in my name, there am I in their midst”
Ø
So
we believe and act knowing God’s present here w/i & among us as persons of
faith
Ø
This
is why we reverence w/ joy seeing each other
Ø 2nd, Jesus is present
in the Word
Ø He’s w/ us & comes 2 us in
proclaimed in Word of G
Ø How well we know the experience
of a phrase that shimmered or touched our hearts!
Ø
3rd,
Jesus is present in the Eucharist
Ø
The
center of all sacraments, the concrete manifestation J chooses 2B present 2 us
Ø
How
we savor the moments of thanksgiving!
Ø 4th in the person of
celebrant
Ø We know how a particular style or
preaching of an individual could make a difference
CONCLUSION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
So,
there is something extra-ordinary about this space and G’s manifestation
Ø
Today
we might ask which way of the 4 needs attention:
Ø
One
another? Word? Bread and wine? Celebrant?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
