1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13, Psalm 132:6-10, Mark 6:53-56
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/020810.shtml
PROCESSIONS AND RECESSION
"Advance, O Lord, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your
majesty." —Psalm 132:8
After Solomon completed the building of the magnificent Temple, he had the
ark of the covenant brought into the Holy of Holies in the Temple. This
procession was spectacular, solemn, awesome, and inexpressibly majestic.
For the occasion, "sheep and oxen too many to number or count" were
sacrificed before the ark (1 Kgs 8:5). "When the priests left the holy
place, the cloud filled the Temple of the Lord so that the priests could
no longer minister because of the cloud, since the Lord's glory had filled
the Temple of the Lord" (1 Kgs 8:10-11).
In today's Gospel reading, we see not the ark of the covenant, but Jesus,
the God of the covenant. Jesus went from village to village. His
procession wasn't as solemn as that of the ark. "The crowds scurried about
the adjacent area and began to bring in the sick on bedrolls" (Mk 6:55).
They "begged Him to let them touch just the tassel of His cloak. All who
touched Him got well" (Mk 6:56). In the Old Testament, when someone
inadvertently touched the ark, they died (see 2 Sm 6:6-7). In the New
Testament, crowds of people pushed, shoved, pulled, and touched Jesus.
Instead of dropping dead, they were healed.
Jesus humbled and emptied Himself (see Phil 2:7), even becoming a human
being. He exposed Himself to our pushing and touching. He even let us
crucify Him. Why did Jesus expose Himself to our insensitivity,
manipulation, violence, and brutality? He did this because He loves us
more than we can ever imagine (see 1 Cor 2:9). Let His love surprise and
overwhelm you.
Prayer: Father, why would You send Your Son to die on the cross for me?
Why? I love You.
Promise: "Let Your faithful ones shout merrily for joy." —Ps 132:9
Praise: St. Jerome escaped from prison only to use his freedom to help
relieve the suffering of others.
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from
February 1, 2010 through March 31, 2010
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, August 11, 2009
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.
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