Monday, 5th Week of Ordinary Time (II)

February 9,2004

by Rev. Herbert Nichols

Today’s first reading presents a jubilant scene. The Temple first envisioned by David has finally been completed. And the Ark of the Covenant is brought with great ceremony and solemnity. The style is very different from the childlike dancing of David.

It is very ritualistic. It is similar in many was to the dedication of a new Church where the Eucharist is celebrated for the first time and the Blessed Sacrament placed in the tabernacle for the first time.

It is a celebration of God’s dwelling among his people in a very visible way. The Temple or Church is a place of presence, not a static but a dynamic and inspiring one; renewing and sending forth the people of God, no less joyous and enthusiastic.

They find themselves renewed in their mission as Christians, healed of sin, revived in grace, made m embers of the Body of Christ by Baptism, nourished in the Eucharist, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

And no less intense is the eagerness of the people in the gospel to come into contact with Jesus, who needs to find a place to hide; so overwhelming and almost frantic is their need to be close to Him, from whom went forth healing power. (What a contrast to the response of the people to the presence of Jesus when He returned to Nazareth as we read just a couple weeks ago).

The Church is not a simply a worship “space”. It is a sanctuary, a refuge, a launching pad. As people brought the sick to Jesus hoping for healing, so we bring our problems and sins and wounds to Jesus through prayer.

Whatever size or shape building; it is a visible presence of the Sacrament, the Word, and the Community; and within its walls God continues to build His spiritual temple. The Liturgy within the Church is far greater than that afforded to Solomon or even the people mentioned in today’s gospel.

When we come to Mass our reverence is perhaps more suitable to that of Solomon than that of David; but in faith we must strive to appreciate the gift that is ours in God’s presence.