5th Week in Ord. Time, Monday – 5th February 2024 – 1 Kgs 8,1-7.9-13; Mark 6,53-56
Place of Perpetual Blessings
The first reading recounts the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant into the newly built Temple in Jerusalem. This temple built by Solomon is a high point in Old Testament biblical history. The temple of Solomon recalls the Garden of Eden and teaches the people to offer their work in worship. It also recalls dwelling of the Lord with the people in the desert in the Tabernacle. Just as the cloud of divine glory descended upon the Tabernacle of Moses in the wilderness for forty years, so now it descends upon this Temple. Like David before him, Solomon acts today as priest-king: he blesses the people with the Divine Name, lead them in a prayer of dedication, and offers animal sacrifices to the Lord. Worshiping in a place allows us to get a sense of majesty and magnificence of God leading everyone to a desire to be with God and overwhelmed by his Grace.
