The tent or tabernacle mentioned in the first reading was the place of God's invisible presence among his people. It was also called the meeting tent where God met with his people It contained the ark, a small box protecting the two tablets of stone which God had given to his people as a symbol of his affection and love.

Yesterday we talked about the radical power within the tabernacle because it contains not merely a symbolic but a real presence. Although the actions of many today might seem to have lost that faith; it remains the indisputable teaching of the Church.

I remember, as I'm sure most of you do, when churches were always open even during the night, and then later until dark, and then only for services, depriving people of that visit to the house of God, the Divine tabernacle.

I remember one day in the seminary; I was giving a tour to a Protestant seminarian who was cross registered for courses there. I brought him to the chapel. I blessed myself with holy water, which he observed without comment, but when I genuflected in front of the tabernacle he asked: Why?

When I told him politely of our Catholic belief that it contains the Body of Christ, not merely in symbol, but in reality; he replied quite of matter of factly: If I could believe that for one moment, I would never leave this chapel.

How often do we underestimate and take for granted what we have been privileged to receive as Catholics. When we take time to visit the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle, we enter into the most intimate union with God on this earth.

Like Moses, and so many others, St. Ignatious Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, a gentleman distinguished in military service had been struck by a canon ball requiring months of convalescence. Not used to being inactive he began to read, to reflect, to contemplate and was led to the revelation of God's love and mercy.

He came to discover and to share with others the value of quiet time (whether before the tabernacle or in a hospital bed) that quiet time makes the difference between saints and everybody else.