3rd Week in OT 2018 - Tuesday - Dancing with abandon

David the King was so full of joy at the ark being brought into Jerusalem that he danced with abandon. These days you might see that level of joy, perhaps at a really festive wedding. But ecstatic dancing is pretty rare. What was the ark, and why and how did it elicit such a powerful response in the King?

The ark of the covenant had been assembled at the base of Mt. Sinai at the instruction of God himself. It was a symbol of freedom from Egyptian slavery, and the presence of God with his people. Within the ark contained the tablets of the commandments, the rod of aaron, and the manna from the desert. It was a symbol of God’s care, his rule, his sovereignty. It was also the symbol around which the twelve tribes would be united.

But the ark had been held in dusty storage in Israel’s western borderland, almost forgotten for over forty years, ever since it had been captured by the Philistines.

Now, as David began his Kingship, the Ark was recovered, faith, in a sense was rediscovered, and the ark was processed into his city. David’s people would know that God was with them as they begun this new chapter in Israel’s history, fulfilling the promises God made to Abraham nearly a thousand years before. It couldn’t get any better than this, and so David danced, filled with passion and faith and hope and love.

David’s joyful dancing before the ark challenges us to consider our own religious sentiments. In every Catholic Church is something greater than the ark. What the ark merely symbolized is fulfilled, here, in the Eucharist. Where the ark pointed to the God who set free the captives from Egyptian slavery, here dwells the God of freedom. Where the ark was the symbol of unity for the twelve tribes of Israel, the Eucharist is the unity of all peoples of all time gathered into the unity of the Catholic Church. Within the ark contained the manna from the desert, but as our Lord himself taught, those who ate the manna stilled died, those who eat and drink his flesh and blood will live forever.

Catholics possess a treasure greater than the ark, in the Eucharist; not a mere representation of God, but God himself.

I don’t think it’s realistic to be in a sort of continual joyful ecstasy every time we come into Church, or at every moment of the Christian life, that’s something we’ll only experience in heaven. But joy should permeate our life, in our religious worship, in our prayer, and in our charitable service.

May the Holy Spirit teach each of us to dance joyfully before the Lord, that we may lead others to the joy and life that only comes through Him, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That Catholics may live out their baptismal call with ever greater conviction, faithfulness and joy.

That those in civic authority may submit their minds and hearts to the rule of Christ, the Prince of Peace and Hope of the nations.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

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