The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to recognize the Presence of God as it is revealed in the people and places we encounter on our journey.
The reading from the First Book of Kings describes the Dedication of the Temple of Solomon.
* [8:6–9] The transfer of the ark of the covenant into the newly constructed Temple building, God’s act of possession (8:10–13), and Solomon’s dedicatory prayer and sacrifices constituted the Temple’s solemn dedication and made of it the place of God’s presence in the midst of Israel for which David had hoped (2 Sm 6:12–15; 7:1–3). Later God expresses approval of the Temple with an oracle (1 Kgs 9:3–9).1
Psalm 132 praises the Eternal Dwelling of God in Zion.
* [Psalm 132] A song for a liturgical ceremony in which the ark, the throne of Israel’s God, was carried in procession to the Temple. The singer asks that David’s care for the proper housing of the ark be regarded with favor (Ps 132:1–5), and tells how it was brought to Jerusalem (Ps 132:6–10). There follows God’s promise of favor to the Davidic dynasty (Ps 132:11–12) and to Zion (Ps 132:13–17). The transfer of the ark to the tent in Jerusalem is described in 2 Sm 6.2
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus heals the sick in Gennesaret.
“Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.”3
Tom Shanahan, S.J. comments it is easy to identify with the disciples. Their senses are inundated by mind-boggling events. But quickly they were called on to accompany Jesus as he healed the sick wherever they were and be with him in his preaching God’s goodness. The people trusted that they’d be healed if they “only touch the tassel of his cloak.” The disciples watch Jesus healing them of their ailments.
Gracious healer, come to us in our need. Like your close friends, we are astounded by your goodness. We, like them, don’t understand. Keep us attentive to how you guide us into service. Like them, help us to live with the wonders we encounter and be bold in following you on your path of healing.4
Don Schwager quotes “Christ's wounds bring healing and life,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"The Lord of hosts was not signaling weakness as he gave sight to the blind, made the crooked to stand upright, raised the dead to life (Matthew 11:5), anticipated the effects of medicine at our prayers, and cured those who sought after him. Those who merely touched the fringe of his robe were healed (Mark 6:56). Surely you did not think it was some divine weakness, you speculators, when you saw him wounded. Indeed there were wounds that pierced his body (Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:33; John 19:18, 31-37), but they did not demonstrate weakness but strength. For from these wounds flowed life to all, from the One who was the life of all." (excerpt from ON THE CHRISTIAN FAITH 4.5.54-55.16)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 6:53-56 urges us to think back over the ways Jesus met us during that time when it wasn’t safe to come to church. Perhaps he touched us in the pages of Scripture, or over a Zoom link. Maybe we recognized Jesus in the ways neighbours came together to meet one another’s needs. Jesus was there in those situations and in so many more. He is always eager to be with us, wherever we are. And while nothing compares to his presence in the Eucharist, that is not the only way we can encounter him.
So where will Jesus “get out of the boat” in your life today? Like the crowds in Mark’s Gospel, rush to meet him with your deepest needs and your loving praise. He will make himself known to you, both in church and in your everyday life! The more clearly you discern him in one place, the easier and sweeter it will be to recognize him in another. “Jesus, open my eyes to recognize your presence in my life more swiftly.”6
Friar Jude Winkler comments on two reasons why David was not able to build a Temple. In the Prologue to John’s Gospel, Jesus builds His tent among us. Friar Jude reflects that most of the Marian apparitions are to childlike people.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis who finds inspiration in the African concept of “ubuntu,” which means “I am who I am because we are who we are.” The ubuntu vision of relatedness can provide healing in the midst of our many current crises and divisions.
By channeling the ancient wisdom of ubuntu, we can engineer a badly needed love revolution to rise up out of the ashes of our current reality. . . . The empathy that grows from listening to others, from connecting with our neighbors, and from loving our neighbors as we love ourselves can define the courses of action we take. [1]7
Father Richard finds a similarly unifying perspective in the spirituality of Julian of Norwich (1343–c. 1416).
The divisions, dichotomies, and dualisms of the world can only be overcome by a unitive consciousness at every level: personal, relational, social, political, cultural, in inter-religious dialogue, and spirituality in particular. A transformed people unite all within themselves, so they can then do the same in the world. [2]7
We pray to be aware that on our journey the Spirit provides opportunities to reach out and touch Him.
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