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/ 

Presence and Healing

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to seek out Sacred Places when the Spirit nudges us to the need of the peace and healing of closeness to God.

Thin Places

The reading from the First Book of Kings describes Dedication of the Temple.

* [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, n.d.)

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. (Psalms, PSALM 132, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark describes Jesus healing the Sick in Gennesaret.

Nancy Shirley shares the story of St. Agatha, one of the virgin martyrs. because it challenges her in her faith journey.

One thing I can be sure of as I ponder all of this: in times of challenges on any and every level, I seek God. I don't anticipate that it will change as I meander through my Golden Years and the numerous challenges and losses that will await me. I may never be in a dramatic situation with a gun held to my head or burning torches to my body, but I have no doubt that I will be tested. I will remember what is engraved on the inside of my bracelet that I wear constantly: God is within her, she will not fall. I touch it whenever, I'm in a difficult situation. The thought sustains me and gives me strength like the little index card I had on my wall in my freshman dorm room: If God be for us, who can be against us? (Shirley, 2024)

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 Mark 6:53-56 comments that mention of Jesus’ tassel tells us something else: God uses ordinary things to communicate extraordinary love. And not just ordinary “things,” but ordinary people as well. The whole story of the early Church, in fact, is the story of ordinary fishermen, reformed tax collectors, and part-time tentmakers becoming channels of God’s healing power. It’s the story of sinful people just like us spreading the good news throughout the entire known world!

So ask the Holy Spirit to keep you connected to the Lord. Ask him to give you greater confidence that when anyone touches you, they are touching Christ. Whether you are offering quiet prayers of intercession or sharing words of encouragement or praying with someone who is hurting, you can be a channel of Jesus’ own life-changing grace.

“Holy Spirit, help me to be the tassel of Jesus’ cloak so that I can bring his love to those who need it.” (Meditation on Mark 6:53-56, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the dedication of the Temple by Solomon in 1 Kings. God, Who is everywhere at all times, can be especially close to people in our Holy Places. Friar Jude notes how the people of Gennesaret found a healing connection to Jesus by touching the tassel of His garment.

Brian McLaren introduces Buddhist teacher angel Kyodo williams who describes how clinging to harmful stories may increase our suffering. Brian McLaren witnesses how the Seventh Story can free us from other unjust stories, including the story of victimization.

The stories that we’ve looked at—the stories of domination, revolution, purification, isolation—these stories create victims. These stories victimize people, and very often people’s lives are devastated, destroyed, or ended by these stories. We might be able to say that in millions of people’s lives, their experience of being a victim of these other stories becomes the biggest reality of their lives. This reality becomes the story of victimization. Part of the Seventh Story framework is that it communicates to people who’ve been victimized by other stories and says, “We’d like to give you permission to not let that story be the defining factor in your life, but rather to help you see and understand yourself in some other way.” Domination creates victims. Revolution creates victims. Purification creates victims. But victims have an alternative in how they define their lives. The Seventh Story can liberate us from our lives being defined by oppression, abuse, exploitation, marginalization, or vilification in some way. [2] (McLaren, 2024)

We recall the “thin places” we have encountered on our journey where the Spirit affirms our sense of special closeness to the Divine and healing for our anxieties.

References

Mark, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 5, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/6?53 

McLaren, B. (2024, February 5). The Story of Victimization — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 5, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-story-of-victimization/ 

Meditation on Mark 6:53-56. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved February 5, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/02/05/889511/ 

1 Kings, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 5, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1kings/8? 

Psalms, PSALM 132. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 5, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/132?6 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 5, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=feb5 

Shirley, N. (2024, February 5). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved February 5, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/020524.html