Daily Readings - Mon Feb 05 2018
1 Kings
1Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers' houses of the people of Israel, before King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.2And all the men of Israel assembled to King Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.3And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.4And they brought up the ark of the LORD, the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the tent; the priests and the Levites brought them up.5And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who had assembled before him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered.6Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the Most Holy Place, underneath the wings of the cherubim.7For the cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, so that the cherubim overshadowed the ark and its poles.9There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone that Moses put there at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the people of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.10And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the LORD,11so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.12Then Solomon said, "The LORD has said that he would dwell in thick darkness.13I have indeed built you an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in forever."
Mark
53When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore.54And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him55and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was.56And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
Sermon
In today's readings, we witness profound moments of God's presence and divine action. The first reading from 1 Kings recounts the transfer of the Ark of the Covenant to the Temple in Jerusalem, a pivotal event in Israel's history. The Ark, a symbol of God's covenant, is brought into the Temple, and the presence of God is so powerful that a cloud fills the space, overwhelming the priests. This moment signifies God's dwelling among His people, a promise fulfilled through Solomon's dedication of the Temple.
In the Gospel of Mark, we see Jesus continuing His ministry in Gennesaret. Recognized by the people, He heals the sick who touch His garment, demonstrating His divine power and compassion. This passage highlights Jesus as the living presence of God, offering healing and hope to those who seek Him.
Both readings invite us to reflect on God's presence in our lives. Just as the Temple was a sacred space, our lives should be temples of the Holy Spirit, where we actively seek God's presence. Like the people in Gennesaret, we are called to trust in Jesus' power to transform us. May we find healing and guidance by staying close to Him, recognizing His presence in our daily lives. Let us seek God with faith, trusting in His transformative power.