Thursday - 17th Week of OT 2017 - Dwelling places of God

Consider the diligence with which Moses prepared the Tabernacle, the dwelling place of the Lord: the placement of the pedestals, the boards, the bars, the columns, the covering—all according to the plans Moses had received from God—he followed God’s instructions precisely, and prepared a beautiful and fitting place for God to dwell among His people.

And yet, we know the rest of the story: in the fullness of time God took flesh, was born the babe of Bethlehem, to dwell among us. But even then, that is not the end of the story. In the new covenant, the Dwelling of God is not only among us, it is us. We who are baptized and in a state of Grace become the Dwelling of God in the world. We are temples of the Holy Spirit, says St. Paul. The Holy Trinity lives in us. ‘If a man loves me’, says the Lord, ‘he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.'

This is a foretaste of the union we will have with God in heaven; in a sense, it is the beginning of heaven.

If each of us are to be worthy dwelling places of God, we must each take great effort, like Moses, great care, great diligence, in caring for God’s Temple. We are to keep it pure, free from the stain of sin, the smallest speck of selfishness; we are to adorn it with the jewels of the virtues, we are to ensure it is set on the solid foundations of the Word of God, the Apostolic faith, learning, studying, reviewing, investigating the depths of our amazing faith. We are to visit the presence of God within the Temple of our body and soul through real, intimate prayer. We are to be Holy Places where others can come to encounter God, through lives of praise and evangelization.

Our diligence in the spiritual life, our attitudes and choices—are to reflect that we are Temples of God.

Pope Saint Leo the Great, instructing the newly baptized would say, "Christian, recognize your dignity and, now that you share in God's own nature, do not return to your former base condition by sinning. Remember who is your head and of whose body you are a member. Never forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of the Kingdom of God."
Recognize your dignity and never forget who you are and what you have become, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of August: “That artists of our time, through their ingenuity, may help everyone discover the beauty of creation.” We pray to the Lord.

For Christians who have forgotten or do not recognize their dignity and their call to holiness. For those who have fallen into mortal sin, for their return to grace, and the conversion of all hearts.

For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster, war, violence, and terrorism, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, and the imprisoned, for the comfort of the dying and the consolation of their families. We pray to the Lord.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.