Daily Readings - Mon Feb 05 2018
First Reading - 1 Kings 8.1-7, 9-13
1 Kings
1Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might 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 themselves unto 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, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, even those did the priests and the Levites bring up.5And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.6And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims.7For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.9There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.10And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the 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 had filled the house of the LORD.12Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.13I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.
Gospel - Mark 6.53-56
Mark
53And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.54And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,55And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.56And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.
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.