First reading 1 Kings 8:1-7,9-13
The Ark of the Covenant is brought into the Temple
Solomon called the elders of Israel together in Jerusalem to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord up from the Citadel of David, which is Zion. All the men of Israel assembled round King Solomon in the month of Ethanim, at the time of the feast (that is, the seventh month), and the priests took up the ark and the Tent of Meeting with all the sacred vessels that were in it. In the presence of the ark, King Solomon and all Israel sacrificed sheep and oxen, countless, innumerable. The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, in the Debir of the Temple, that is, in the Holy of Holies, under the cherubs’ wings. For there where the ark was placed the cherubs spread out their wings and sheltered the ark and its shafts. There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets Moses had placed in it at Horeb, the tablets of the covenant which the Lord had made with the Israelites when they came out of the land of Egypt; they are still there today.
Now when the priests came out of the sanctuary, the cloud filled the Temple of the Lord, and because of the cloud the priests could no longer perform their duties: the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s Temple.
Then Solomon said:
‘The Lord has chosen to dwell in the thick cloud.
Yes, I have built you a dwelling,
a place for you to live in for ever.’
Responsorial Psalm 131(132):6-10
Go up, Lord, to the place of your rest!
At Ephrata we heard of the ark;
we found it in the plains of Yearim.
‘Let us go to the place of his dwelling;
let us go to kneel at his footstool.’
Go up, Lord, to the place of your rest!
Go up, Lord, to the place of your rest,
you and the ark of your strength.
Your priests shall be clothed with holiness;
your faithful shall ring out their joy.
For the sake of David your servant
do not reject your anointed.
Go up, Lord, to the place of your rest!
Gospel Mark 6:53-56
All those who touched him were cured
Having made the crossing, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up. No sooner had they stepped out of the boat than people recognised him, and started hurrying all through the countryside and brought the sick on stretchers to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, to village, or town, or farm, they laid down the sick in the open spaces, begging him to let them touch even the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched him were cured.
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Recognising Jesus, they hurried to Him
Crowds of people “at once” recognised Jesus and hurried to Him through the countryside. The phrase “at once” highlighted that there was no hesitation for the people at Gennesaret. They saw Jesus with eyes of faith and knew that He could help them heal their loved ones who were sick. Unfortunately, we sometimes fail to recognise Jesus in our midst. We think He is not with us or our loved ones as we struggle with sickness, loss, failures, depression, etc. If only we open our eyes of faith to perceive His presence and recognise that He is at work in our daily lives.
The people brought their sick on stretchers to wherever they heard He was. This is a beautiful image to ponder in this time of prayer: The sick could not go to where Jesus was, and so, they were brought to Him by those who could. Today, we are also invited lead our friends and family members who are sick, vulnerable and weak to Jesus. We can do so by praying for them and sharing God’s life-giving words with them.
Question for reflection:
What prevents me from recognising Jesus’ presence in my daily life?
What prevents me from recognising Jesus’ presence in my daily life?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr. Sandra Seow FMVD.
