Greetings on this the Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13; Psalm 132:6-7, 8-10; Mark 6:53-56
Summary
They came to King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD’s covenant from the city of David (which is Zion). The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, the inner sanctuary of the house, the holy of holies, beneath the wings of the cherubim. There was nothing in the ark but the two stone tablets which Moses had put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites after they went forth from the land of Egypt. (1 Kgs 8:1b, 6, 9)
In our first reading today we have the Ascent. King Solomon has brought the Ark of the Lord to Jerusalem, to the new Temple, to provide a permanent place for the Lord to abide with them. The Ark contained the Two Stone Tablets – the Commandments – within it. The Lord then did reside within the Holy of Holies, in smoke, in presence and in the Law.
Graduale “song of the steps”
The original gradual is from the Jewish liturgical tradition. The 15 steps of the Temple correspond to the Songs of Ascent – Psalms 120-134 – where at each step a psalm was sung. The gradual nature of faith and growth. The Progressive Elaboration of the Divine life and the Human participation in that life. He has come to dwell with us. Wherever they started Judea, Galilee, Egypt or Babylon they all ascend to, arrive at, Jerusalem and the Holy Temple.
Reflection
Advance, O LORD, to your resting place, you and the ark of your majesty (PS 132:8).
After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret. People immediately recognized him. They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 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 (Mk 6:53, 54b-55, 56b).
This is our resting place, in the Lord.
Personal Reflection
Our faith journey is a graduale – an ascent. Step by step we move toward the Lord. We enthrone him in our hearts. We place before him our hopes and needs and all we love. And he allows us to touch his tassel and cloak that we may be healed.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020926.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry