When the Israelites fled from Egypt, God remained with Israel in the desert, dwelling in the ark of the covenant under the cover of a large "meeting tent" (see Ex 33:7). In the meeting tent, "the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as one man speaks to another" (Ex 33:11). Eventually, King Solomon built a temple as the dwelling place of God to replace the meeting tent (see 2 Chr 3:1ff), but for many years the Lord dwelt in the presence of Israel inside a tent (see 2 Sm 7:2-7).
Then the Father sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, and He made His dwelling among us (Jn 1:14). This text can be translated as "Jesus pitched His tent among us." St. Paul refers to our human body as an earthly "tent" (see 2 Cor 5:1, 4). Jesus comes to dwell in our tent, within our own hearts. Now God desires that His "meeting tent" be in our own heart, in our very body. We are to be meeting tents for Jesus, walking "dwelling places" who have Jesus living within us (see Jn 6:56; 17:23). Jesus dwells in our tent, and God's Word declares: "No evil shall befall you, nor shall affliction come near your tent" (Ps 91:10).
In the Holy Eucharist, we literally receive Jesus into our body, our earthly tent. The Lord wants to abide with us even more than we want to be with Him. Jesus stands at the door of our "dwelling place" and knocks (see Rv 3:20), asking to be received. Will you let Him enter and make His dwelling in your life?
| PRAYER: | Lord, may I be a dwelling place where You reign. |
| PROMISE: | "Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in kindness." –Ps 103:8 |
| PRAISE: | St. Alphonsus was a highly educated theologian who was also a prolific writer. Yet he insisted on clear, simple preaching. He once said: "I have never preached a sermon which the poorest old woman in the congregation could not understand." |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College