(Optional Memorial for Saint Jerome Emiliani, Priest)
(Optional Memorial for Saint Josephine Bakhita, Virgin)
Readings for the Memorial of St. Josephine Bakhita
may be taken from the Common of Virgins
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| “Transportation of the Ark of the Covenant Containing the Tablets of the Law” by Luigi Ademollo, 1816 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13
Commentary on 1 Kgs 8:1-7, 9-13
In the previous two chapters of the First Book of Kings (6 & 7) Solomon constructs his great temple to the Lord. “The transfer of the ark of the covenant into the newly constructed temple building, and the oracle of God's acceptance, and his act of possession, constituted the temple's solemn dedication, and made of it the abiding dwelling of God among his people for which David had hoped (2 Samuel 6:12-15; 2 Samuel 7:1-3). The concurrence of the feast of Booths marks an appropriate transition of God's dwelling among nomadic tribes to his permanent abode among a settled people.”[4]
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 132:6-7, 8-10
R. (8a) Lord, go up to the place of your rest!
Commentary on Ps 132:6-7, 8-10
Psalm 132 is a song of thanksgiving sung by the community as they remember the establishment of God’s salvation expressed in the Davidic dynasty. The second strophe envisions the great temple built by Solomon and the installation of the Ark of the Covenant in its permanent home.
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Gospel: Mark 6:53-56
Commentary on Mk 6:53-56
This selection takes up the account of Jesus' healing ministry immediately following the account of the feeding of the multitudes (Mark 6:35-44), and his encounter with the disciples as he walked upon the waters (Mark 6:45-52). Jesus continues his journey, and cures many people who come to him. This is the same location in which Peter, Andrew, James, and John had lived and, was, in fact, the location where Jesus had called them. It is for this reason he was so quickly recognized.
CCC: Mk 6:56 1504
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Reflection
Today we once again marvel at the great plan for our salvation the Father was pleased to decree, culminating in the sacrifice of His Son. Consider the beginnings of this plan. God selected Abraham to father a nation of nomadic peoples that roamed the deserts between modern Egypt and Lebanon. They hired themselves out to the Egyptians and became enslaved by them. With his mighty hand, God sent Moses, who only survived infanticide through the Lord’s mercy, to bring the Hebrew people out of bondage and deliver them into the land he promised.
For long years they fought the pagan inhabitants of the land, seeking always the home promised by God. Finally, after subduing the last of their foes, the heir of King David, his son Solomon, finally builds a temple. To this temple he brings the ark bearing the stone tablets of the covenant made between Moses and God on Mount Sinai. The first reading paints a picture of, not just the joy of the grand temple’s dedication, but also the expectation that God chose this place as his abode on earth. It was a place where the people could come to worship him, and offer their sacrifices, assured that he heard their prayers for forgiveness and intercession.
The nomads were nomads no more. They had established themselves, and invited their Most High God to have a place among them, and Solomon’s temple was to be his footstool. But the temple would not be permanent. Four hundred years later, in 586 BC, the Babylonians would destroy this temple and enslave the people. It would be rebuilt fifty years later, but as Jesus predicts, it would be destroyed again in 70 AD by the Romans.
The chosen people, as the Hebrews identified themselves, rejected the Messiah, that same wandering teacher who lands for a second time in Gennesaret (the first time he was there, he recruited Peter, Andrew, James and John to be his disciples). He comes now fulfilling the Law and the Prophets, taking the Good News of God’s Kingdom, not just to the Jews, but to all peoples of all nations. It is a great work that he has passed on through his disciples, later to be called Apostles, and through them to us.
We recall this great plan today, and hope with all our hearts that we will be true to the part we are called upon to play in it. We also hope for the reward promised to all God’s faithful; eternal life in that heavenly kingdom.
Pax
[2] The picture is “Transportation of the Ark of the Covenant Containing the Tablets of the Law” by Luigi Ademollo, 1816
[4] See NAB footnote on 1 Kings 8:6-9
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