Healing Presence

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to reflect on the experience of healing and connection that we have when we join the community in the Presence of God.

Present in Faith

The Reading from the First Book of Kings presents the Dedication of the Temple.

 

[8:2] “The seventh month” (“Ethanim” in the Canaanite calendar) corresponded to late September/early October. The great festival at that time of year is the feast of Booths, or Succoth/Sukkoth (see Lv 23:33–43; Dt 16:13–15). The feast was important enough to warrant holding the dedication ceremony either a month before or eleven months after the Temple was completed in the eighth month (6:38).

* [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).

* [8:12–13] This brief poem is rich in layered meanings. The “dark cloud” in which the Lord intends to dwell refers not only to the cloud that filled the Temple (v. 10) but to the darkness of the windowless holy of holies and to the mystery of the God enthroned invisibly upon the cherubim as well. Solomon calls the Temple he offers God a firm base, using terminology similar to that used for God’s firm establishment of Solomon’s own kingdom (2:12, 46). Finally, Solomon intends this as a place for God to yashab, but the Hebrew word yashab can mean “to dwell” or “to sit.” In other words, the Temple can be understood both as a place where God resides and as the earthly foundation of God’s heavenly throne. The double meaning allows an understanding of the divine presence as both transcendent and graciously immanent. See Solomon’s sentiments in 8:27, and the frequent reference in 8:30–52 to God’s hearing in heaven prayers that were offered in or toward the Temple. (1 Kings, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 132 tells how the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem.

* [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. (Psalms, PSALM 132 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark presents Jesus Healings at Gennesaret.

r. [6:53–56] Mt 14:34–36.

s. [6:56] 5:27–28; Acts 5:15. (Mark, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Mary Lee Brock comments that the reading from 1 Kings culminates with the glory of the Lord filling the temple. The dark cloud symbolizes the powerful and mysterious presence of God.

As I pray with today’s readings, images from my attending liturgies during my travels come to mind. A church built of concrete blocks outside of Cancun City; I felt the presence of God. The church in Brooklyn, where my parents were married before moving to the Midwest, I felt the presence of God. An elaborate, beautiful Cathedral; I felt the presence of God. An unfamiliar suburban parish in my own town; I felt the presence of God.

To deepen my prayer, I reflect upon these questions: Where do I find God in my daily life? What distracts me from being fully present to community members? What healing do I need to seek? How can I support others seeking healing? Do I have the faith to trust that touching the tassel on the cloak of Jesus is enough?

We hear in Psalms: “May your priests be clothed with justice; let your faithful ones shout merrily for joy.” (Brock, n.d.)

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) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13 comments that Jesus filled his disciples with his own Holy Spirit (Acts 2). He made each one of them a dwelling place of God, fulfilling in the most personal way possible God’s desire to dwell with his people. He has made each of us a “living stone” that is built together into an even more beautiful dwelling place for God—the body of Christ in his Church (1 Peter 2:4-5)!

Never forget that you carry God’s presence within you! Wherever you go, you bring his life. When you enter a tense situation at work, you can bring God’s peace. When you comfort a grieving friend, you can bring hope. When you reach out to an estranged family member, you can bring healing. In every situation, you can bring the joy of knowing that God is near. So keep your eyes open for ways the Lord might manifest his presence and his glory in you as his dwelling place!

“Lord God, teach me how to live as a temple of your Holy Spirit.” (Meditation on 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in 1 Kings the Temple in Jerusalem is dedicated as a “House for God”. Solomon built the Temple and dedicated it and the Presence of God is in the Holy of Holies. In Mark, the people who are sick and need Jesus' help try to touch His tassel. Friar Jude  reminds us that we should see God as a loving parent always willing to give us what we need even if that is not what we want.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects on God’s tenderness towards us, even when we make decisions that harm ourselves or others. This safe and protective God, the one who does not reject humanity, is illustrated in a most tender way: God is presented as a divine seamstress: “God sewed together clothes for them out of the skins of animals and they put them on” (Genesis 3:21).

Surely this is a promise from a protective and nurturing God who takes away their shame and self-loathing. That will become the momentum-building story of the whole Bible, which gradually undoes the common history of fearsome and threatening deities…

Human love does the same thing. When someone else loves us, they give us not just themselves, but for some reason, they give us back our own self—now a truer and better self. This dance between the Lover and the beloved is the psychology of the whole Bible.

Once humans are outside of union—symbolized by the garden—the whole pattern of fear, hatred, violence, and envy begins. Much of the rest of the Bible will reveal the conflicts of living outside the garden—in other words, in the dualistic mind of disunion—and yet with the constant invitation back into union. (Rohr, n.d.)

We experience the Spirit in the “thin places” that bring us closer to Divine Presence and arouse our commitment to being a healing influence in our environment.

References

Brock, M. L. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved February 9, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-february-9-2026 

Mark, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 9, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/6?53 

Meditation on 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved February 9, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/02/09/1496783/ 

1 Kings, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 9, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1kings/8?1 

Psalms, PSALM 132 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 9, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/132?6 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 9, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/god-tends-to-our-wounds/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Many Were Made Well. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 9, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Liturgy and Life

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to consider the role of our social and cultural practices in generating the opportunity to commit to a life governed by love for all who come into our environment.

Liturgy of Life

 

In the Reading from the Second Book of Samuel The Ark is Brought to Jerusalem.

* [6:14] Girt with a linen ephod: the ephod was some sort of priestly vestment (probably like an apron); cf. Ex 28:4; Jgs 17:5; 1 Sm 2:18, 28; 14:3; 22:18; 23:6. The cultic procession that accompanies the ark to the holy mountain, Zion, is led by King David, dancing ecstatically and wearing a priestly vestment. (2 Samuel, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 24 presents a choir that identifies the approaching God.

* [Psalm 24] The Psalm apparently accompanied a ceremony of the entry of God (invisibly enthroned upon the ark), followed by the people, into the Temple. The Temple commemorated the creation of the world (Ps 24:1–2). The people had to affirm their fidelity before being admitted into the sanctuary (Ps 24:3–6; cf. Ps 15). A choir identifies the approaching God and invites the very Temple gates to bow down in obeisance (Ps 24:7–10). (Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark presents Jesus and His Family.

* [3:20–35] Within the narrative of the coming of Jesus’ relatives (Mk 3:20–21) is inserted the account of the unbelieving scribes from Jerusalem who attributed Jesus’ power over demons to Beelzebul (Mk 3:22–30); see note on Mk 5:21–43. There were those even among the relatives of Jesus who disbelieved and regarded Jesus as out of his mind (Mk 3:21). Against this background, Jesus is informed of the arrival of his mother and brothers [and sisters] (Mk 3:32). He responds by showing that not family ties but doing God’s will (Mk 3:35) is decisive in the kingdom; cf. note on Mt 12:46–50.

* [3:32] Your brothers: see note on Mk 6:3. (Mark, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Colette O’Meara-McKinney comments that we are all invited to witness, engage, and live with the presence of God as the guiding light. We are invited to witness this joy and bring our own full selves to the experience of God.

This is a positive entry into the Gospel. Just as David’s joy is both personal and communal, Jesus reminds us that we are all in this together. He refers to his family as all of us, humanity with our flaws and strengths, our successes, and our stumbles. This commitment to each other enhances the joys while demanding that we don’t turn away in darker times. We hold each other up in support while holding each other accountable.

Perhaps our prayer in reflection is to better understand what it means to be a person of God’s family and live in a way that demonstrates that connection through words, actions, and spirit. (O'Meara-McKinney, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The cross of Christ as victory,” by Augustine of Hippo, 430-543 A.D.

"[Mary] did the Father's will. It was this in her that the Lord magnified, not merely that her flesh gave birth to flesh... When he said, 'Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it' (Luke 11:28), he was in effect saying: 'My mother whom you have called blessed is blessed for the reason that she keeps the Word of God, not that the Word was made flesh in her and dwelt among us (John 1:14), but that she keeps the very Word of God through which she was made and which was made flesh in her." (excerpt from TRACTATE ON JOHN 10.3.2) (Schwager, n.d.)

 The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 3:31-35 comments that Jesus wants us to know him in a new way, too. We might have our routines that we’re accustomed to. We go to Mass; we read the Scriptures. But are we listening attentively to what he might have to say to us today? Or have we, like his family, settled into the status quo in our relationship with Jesus and are happy to stay that way?

Today, accept Jesus’ invitation to approach him anew as Teacher and Lord. Take the next step toward a deeper faith in him. Align yourself with the family of believers who listen to his voice and obey God’s will. Then, as Mary told the servants at the wedding in Cana, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5).

“Lord Jesus, I want to see you with fresh eyes. I want to listen to your voice and do your will.” (Meditation on Mark 3:31-35, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in 2 Samuel, David brings the Ark to Jerusalem. He recounts the consequence of the death of the soldier at the home of Obed Edom from touching the Ark. He brings the Ark with sacrifice and dancing. Kings had priestly functions at that time. It seems to have ended around 780 BCE. The idea of a King considered as a priest continues at British coronations. Jesus proclaims “here are my brothers and sisters” Jesus suggests here that the disciples are better than Jesus' family, who are not quite believing and even the inappropriate response of the apostles supports this. A dusty and dirty prophet as the “Son of God” is difficult to accept. The Pharisees reject him. In Mark’s Gospel there is much difficulty in accepting Jesus. Friar Jude presents this as a consolation for us, as God reveals Himself in His time not our time.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces public theologian Rachel Held Evans (1981–2019) who recounts the historical circumstances that led to the creation of the Old Testament. The Bible can be understood as a call to remember our shared humanity.

And so we have on our hands a Bible that includes psalms of praise, but also psalms of complaint and anger, a Bible that poses big questions about the nature of evil and the cause of suffering without always answering them. We have a Bible that says in one place that “with much wisdom comes much sorrow” (Ecclesiastes 1:18) and in another “wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom” (Proverbs 4:7 HCSB). We have a Bible concerned with what to do when your neighbor’s donkey falls into a pit…. We have a Bible that depicts God as aloof and in control in one moment, and vulnerable and humanlike in the next, a Bible that has frustrated even the best systematic theologians for centuries because it’s a Bible that so rarely behaves.

In short, we have on our hands a Bible as complicated and dynamic as our relationship with God, one that reads less like divine monologue and more like an intimate conversation. Our most sacred stories emerged from a rift in relationship, an intense crisis of faith. Those of us who spend as much time doubting as we do believing can take enormous comfort in that. The Bible is for us too. (Rohr, n.d.)

We ask the Spirit to lead us to the uncomfortable truths of narrow application of our mission as disciples of Christ and call us to serve all of God’s Children and as family in the Body Of Christ.

References

Mark, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 27, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/3?31 

Meditation on Mark 3:31-35. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved January 27, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/01/27/1488130/ 

O'Meara-McKinney, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton University Online Ministries. Retrieved January 27, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-january-27-2026 

Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 27, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/24?7 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 27, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-book-to-remember/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Whoever Does the Will of God Is My Brother and Sister. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 27, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

2 Samuel, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 27, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/6?12