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Daily Scripture

+ 5th Week in Ordinary Time

It still has meaning.

1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13 Psalm 132:6-7, 8-10 Mark 6:53-56

The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place beneath the wings of the cherubim in the sanctuary, the holy of holies of the temple. There was nothing in the ark but the two stone tablets which Moses had put there at Horeb, when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel. [1 Kings 8:6, 8]
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In recent years there has been much discussion in liturgical circles about the proper location of the tabernacle in the worship space. The directives implementing the Constitution on the Liturgy by the Second Vatican Council prescribed that the tabernacle be located in prominent location in the church or chapel, preferably in a chapel dedicated to the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament and appropriate for veneration. In any case, it was not to be located on the altar table used for the celebration of the Eucharist. As a result in many churches renovations, the tabernacle was moved to the ‘side altar’ previously used for the veneration of the Blessed Virgin or St. Joseph and in some churches, it was placed on the old altar previously used for Mass. In situations the old altar was replaced with a permanent pedestal on which the tabernacle was placed.

In liturgical matters, nothing is simple. Those of a more conservative disposition insisted that the location of the Tabernacle on the side altar reduced the status of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist thereby diminishing its meaning in the devotional life of the faithful. Others of a more liberal persuasion opined that in fact, the location in a separate chapel within the church assigned to the sacrament greater prominence thereby increasing the devotional aspect. Moreover, in as much as an emphasis of the ‘action’ of the Mass as the repetition of the “Lord’s Supper” was promoted by the Council, it seemed to liturgists that the location of the tabernacle in the main sanctuary behind the free standing Eucharist table would compete with the ‘action’ of the Mass as a sacred meal.

The most recent prescriptions in the United States provide that the tabernacle be located in the main sanctuary on suitably ornate pedestal. It is ironic that in the major basilicas including the basilica of St. Peter in Rome, the tabernacle is located on a side altar that is not very prominent.

Whatever the location, it should not be a bone of contention worthy of a liturgical battle. The public and private devotion to the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist is rooted in the long tradition of the Church and should not be disparaged. In the same way in which the tablets of stone on which the Ten Commandments was symbolic of God’s presence in the temple, so too, the reservation of the Eucharist Bread has been one of the longest-standing practices of the devotional life of Catholics. It is intended to extend the meaning and the effects of the Eucharistic celebration into the life of the faithful who continue to spend time in prayerful meditation on the mysteries of the life of Jesus not the least of which is his faithfulness unto death on the cross for the salvation of the world. The two aspects of Eucharist need not be in competition. The ‘Mass’ continues to be considered a “sacrificial” meal. But we need to be clear that its connection with the passion and death of Christ even as the lamb of God is not to suggest that his death was mandated to satisfy and angry God. That in my opinion is not an appropriate application of Old Testament sacrifices. No, Jesus sacrificial death was the completion of his entire sacrificial life of unqualified and indiscriminate love in the same way as the sacrificial love of partners in marriage offer their sacrificial love to one another or in the manner that Mother Teresa offered her live in sacrificial service to victims of poverty in the streets of Calctta. It is in this sense that devotion to the Eucharist in the tabernacle takes its extended meaning.

During the celebration of the Eucharist, we become what we eat. Through our devotion to the Eucharist reserved in the tabernacle, we are reminded that the Eucharistic presence in our mind, heart and soul extends into all the good works of our lives with the hope that we too will always think and act with the same sacrificial love as did Jesus in his earthly life.

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 'A'

Sunday September 28, 2008

From ‘No’ to a Resounding ‘Yes!’ or Just Do It!

It’s a parable to which most of us can relate because either we’ve been there and done that as a child or we’ve been there and done that as a parent.

I could usually tell from the tone of my mother’s voice whether or not an impending task was a command performance or just a friendly invitation to join in a few household chores. Whenever my dad overheard my delay strategy or my promise to do it later, he would tune in with a gentle but firm: “Do it now and bellyache about it later!” Words of wisdom for an indolent son!

Promises do not take the place of performance. However, beyond the ‘terrible twos,’ I do not recall ever having been as bold as the first son in this Jesus story. Perhaps I buried that memory when I went to seminary. I do confess, however, that my intentions have often been more intense than my actions.

William James once said that the greatest discovery of his time was that human beings could alter their lives by altering the attitudes of their mind. By now, this has become a truism.

Nevertheless, centuries before this “discovery,” the possibility of life-conversion was already acknowledged in Judeo-Christian thinking as is very evident in the readings this weekend which are all about change—attitudinal and actual.

Change is a God-given prerogative for everyone! A change of heart leads to a change of mind and a changed mindset can transform an individual life and an individual life can change the course of world events for good or for bad. Just think of what a change in the direction of the wind can do in Morristown or Long Valley. And think about the impact of melting glaciers in the Artic Circle can have on the water level on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.

This observation may appear to overstate the reality but when one considers the dramatic impact of evil minds on world events, e.g., Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Idi Amin, and Osama bin Laden, to name only a few, it is not difficult to acknowledge the negative impact of one person’s actions. I

But the power of positive thinking has had an even greater impact on the civilization. Aristotle and Plato; Benjamin Franklin and Samuel Johnson; Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela are only a few among other historic figures prominent for their wisdom and courage. However, even these positive thinkers had to struggle with their response to goodness in the face of evil. Lighting one little candle can make a different in a darkened world.

If this is true of sophists, sages and political pilots, it is truer of religious figures.

In response to God’s call Moses said, “Send someone else!” But he relented and led the Jewish people out of bondage through the Sea of Reeds.

Jeremiah said, “I’m too young and inexperienced!” But he gave in and became one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament.

Jonah the legendary preacher said: “I don’t wan to go—period!” But he finally conceded and preached salvation to the people of Nineveh.

Peter denied any association with Jesus not just once but three times! But he became a man of faith and the head of the Apostles.

Thomas the doubter refused to give his “yes” unless and until he put his hands into the side of Jesus and then cried out, “My Lord and my God!”

Paul spent most of his life saying “no!’ while he persecuted those who said “yes.” But succumbed to the call of Jesus to preach to the gentiles.

And there are loads of others in other eras and epochs: Augustine, Charles de Foucauld; and in modern times: John Isaac Newton and Thomas Merton whose lives were far from exemplary but gave in to the call to discipleship.

In essence, Ezekiel cautions his listeners: “Don’t blame everyone else for your mistakes. Accept personal responsibility for your actions. The past need not be a prelude to the present nor to the future. No one needs to be stuck anywhere! It’s never too late to change. In many respects, it’s really a matter of letting go of the baggage!

But “yes” is never enough!

There are two kinds of people in this world: those who profess one thing and practice another and those who say little and do a lot!

Our ultimate empowerment comes through our whole – hearted “yes” to live “in Christ.” This is summed up in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Jesus is the source of redemptive life. “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus…” who was obedient, that is, who listened attentively to the voice of God within his heart and who because he listened, responded with full heart and for that reason, raised him up on the third day.

It’s a life-long challenge. Every day we are faced with the decision not only to say yes but even more importantly, to live our yes, Amen! Amen! Let God’s people say “Amen!”