More seats of mercy

The dwelling place of the Lord is a concern of many believers. The Roman Catholic Lectionary today presents the Dedication of the Temple built by Solomon in the text from the first book of Kings. Friar Jude Winkler tells us that David was not permitted to carry out his desire to build a temple because of the blood he had shed and the arrogance of his actions. The creation of a place wherein people gather to be close to God may trouble those who misunderstand the gesture as one of trying to bound or control God. Those who attempt this framing of God in their image for their purposes are moving away from closer contact with the Divine. We are often too quick to criticize the liturgical actions of others. When we look to actions of people to be disposed to receive God we may find signs such as the ‘mercy seat’ in the Temple. The sign to the people of the desire for “at-one-ment” with God is expressed in the central position of mercy for the forgiveness of sins in the Holy of Hollies. The Gospel of Mark tells us that Jesus and the disciples are met at Gennesaret by crowds of people who approach Jesus as a man of holiness who can bring them close to the mercy of God where they seek physical and emotional healing. The tassel of Jesus garment is noted by Friar Jude as a visible reminder to Jews of their Covenant and the least significant part of Jesus garb, contact with was sufficient to initiate intimacy with the Holy One. Our attention to the dwelling place of God through the Spirit in human beings is focused through our gathering in Holy Places to reach out and be touched by God.