Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Jeremiah 3:14-17; Matthew 13:18-23)
The Ark of the Covenant was the singular, most holy element
of the Jerusalem Temple. It contained
the two tablets of the law, a jar of manna from Israel’s desert wanderings, and
Aaron’s miraculous staff. For unknown
reasons the Ark was lost around the beginning of the seventh century before
Christ. As meaningful as the Ark was to
the people of Jerusalem, the prophet Jeremiah says that it will be forgotten in
today’s first reading.
Jeremiah envisions a new covenant between God and
Israel. It will be characterized by a select
people sifted from all over Judah. The
nation’s wise leaders will strive to please the Lord, not themselves or others. People from all over the world will come to
Jerusalem to praise the God of Israel.
Christians recognize this prophecy fulfilled in the Church
Jesus leaves behind. Jerusalem is the
Church’s cradle and still serves as its holiest sanctuary city. More importantly, the Jerusalem community has
become a model of pleasing the Lord’s heart.
The Ark of the Covenant has been more than adequately replaced by Mary,
who bore God’s Son in her womb.
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