Tuesday of the
Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
(I Kings 8:22-23.27-30; Mark 7:1-13)
The woman was upset with the Church when her son was told
that he could not have his wedding at a garden ceremony. She reasoned that if the Church allows mass
to be celebrated in a home, it could permit weddings wherever the couple
wished. But the Church insists that
weddings be done in a sacred space to underscore the sacred covenant of
marriage. In his prayer that comprises
the first reading today Solomon asks a question pertinent to the issue.
The king prays: “’Can it indeed be that God dwells among
men on earth? If the heavens cannot
contain you, how much less this temple which I have built!’” Solomon realizes that God is not confined to
the holy place that he has constructed. Yet
he knows that the temple raises minds and hearts to God with its lofty walls
and arched ceiling. He would say that when
the temple reminds people of God’s closeness, it fulfills his purpose.
Everything on earth may be a sacrament connecting us with
God, but there are also many elements that distract us from considering
Him. Temples and churches generally
avoid the ambiguity. We are wise to
follow Solomon’s lead of praying that God watch over our churches so that people
will always raise prayers within their walls that He can answer.
