Saturday, August 1, 2015

Tabernacles new and old: Daily Mass Homily--Thursday, July 30th, 2015


(Listen to this homily here).

            We heard this morning from the last chapter in the book of Exodus.  Featured is the meeting tent—also known as the Dwelling, the tent of meeting or the ark. 
            Earlier in the book of Exodus God instructed Moses how to make this dwelling.  It was a portable place of worship featuring the tent, surrounded by a rectangular sort of fence.  Within the tent was a partitioned section called the Holy of holies.  This is where the Ark of the Covenant was held.  Containing the Ten Commandments it was the holiest place known to man.
            Another name for this place—the tabernacle.
            It’s interesting that thousands of years later we come each morning to the new tabernacle.  This dwelling is the holiest place in the world and houses the body and blood of Jesus Christ—the fulfillment of the Law, the true Bread of life and the Priest of priests.
            Another cool point: the Israelites were led by the cloud—God’s presence—in their journeys.  When the cloud moved, Moses and the people followed suit.  If the cloud stayed put, so did they.
            This should be how we move in our lives.  By frequently observing the tabernacle—by coming to Mass, receiving Jesus’ body and blood in the Eucharist and praying in Eucharistic adoration—God will show us His will.  He will allow us to see how He wishes to move in our lives.
            Praise God for our time to dwell near the tabernacle at Mass this morning.

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