Sunday, February 4, 2018

5th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 05-02-18

1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13 / Mark 6:53-56

Whatever poor opinions some people may have about the Mass, there might be times when we wished that something dramatic will happen at Mass that will make them change their minds.

But whatever we wish may also not be likely to happen, and those who are skeptical and cynical about the Mass may not be likely to change their stand, even if something dramatic will happen.

In the 1st reading, something dramatic did happen when the ark of the covenant was brought in to the Temple.

A cloud, symbol of the presence of God, filled the Temple and because of the cloud, the priests could no longer perform their duties: the glory of the Lord filled the Temple.

We may think that this dramatic event will reinforce the faith of the people and that it will be remembered by the future generations.

Yet, in 586 BC, the Temple was razed to the ground by Israel's enemies because the people lost faith in God and they even defiled the Temple, maybe because they couldn't see God's presence in the Temple.

But when Jesus stepped out of the boat at Genessaret, the people recognised Him and started hurrying all through the countryside and brought the sick on stretchers for Him to heal them and they even begged to touch the fringe of His cloak so that they can be healed.

Somehow, the people was able to see the presence of God in Jesus. God's presence was not just in the Temple. God has now come to be with the people in the person of Jesus.

And Jesus is now present in us and because we receive Him in Holy Communion, we carry His presence in our hearts.

May others see the presence of Jesus in us, and may we also believe deeply in the presence of Jesus at Mass.