Today’s Gospel (Luke 1:5-25) prompts these simple thoughts:
The Jewish people were so filled
with awe, amazement, respect and reverent fear for the Ark of the Covenant located
in their midst, that only once a year was the high priest permitted to enter
the inner sanctuary of the tabernacle and go behind the veil that separated the
“Holy of Holies” from the “Holy Place,” the Temple’s second holiest chamber, and
the rest of the temple area. The other Jewish priests burned incense and
offered prayers in the “Holy Place”
at the morning and evening sacrifices while crowds prayed in the Temple courts.[i] Priests
like Zechariah drew lots to determine which one of their priestly number would
be selected to enter and incense this sacred space. It was a great honor and privilege
for the priest chosen to experience this intimate encounter with the Lord –
something the average Jew could never experience.
Today, we Catholics can approach the
tabernacles in our Churches where our Lord is really, truly and substantially present
in the Blessed Sacrament anytime we enter those sacred buildings. We do not
have to draw straws. We do not have to be ordained priests. We do not have to limit
our visit to just once a year. We can be with Him every single day. The choice
is up to us. Yet, far too few of us ever make that choice. Consequently, our
God, the Prince of Peace, often remains alone, abandoned, and forgotten.
Is there any wonder why chaos
rather than peace reigns in so many hearts, in our Church and throughout the world?
Go visit He Who Is and let Him
change your heart!
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