Would You Build Me A House To Dwell In?

 

God cares about our attitude towards holy things. 

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Wednesday of 3rd Week in Ordinary Time II, and the Memorial of St. Francis de Sale, January 24th, 2024
Texts: 2 Samuel 7:4-17; Psalm 89:4-5,27-30; Mark 4:1-20 

Two things stand out for me in today’s first reading: God’s association of Ark of covenant with Himself and appreciation of David’s initiative. God recognised the building of house for Ark of covenant as building house for Him. He says, “Would you build me a house to dwell in? ... I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling.”  

It speaks volume that God associate the Ark with Himself. The Ark of the covenant is more than Box or Ark, it is the presence of God among His people. Any gesture of reverence, worship or honour before the Ark goes to God. This challenges how we treat the holy things. God cares about our attitude towards holy things.  

Eucharistic specie is more than just representation of our Lord among us

Did we know that the Eucharistic specie does more than the Ark of God for us? Eucharistic specie is more than just representation of our Lord among us, it is the Lord Himself among us. At the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the saints and angels are present, worshipping and adoring the Lord.  

In the words of the author of the letter to the Hebrews: “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel” (12:22-24).

God loves it when we make initiative 

God also shows Himself as a lover of good initiative. God loves it when we make initiative in response to His goodness. God emphasises that He never demanded for it. Hence, the building of house is not in response to God’s demand. God says, “In all the places where I have moved with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of the Israel, ... saying, why have not built me a house of cedar?” Hence, David’s initiative to build a house is not in response to God’s demand. 

God show His love for David’s initiative as He says, “I will make for you a name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.” He adds, “I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.” Again He says, “And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever.” God rewards good initiative, good decision.  

To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God

We also see appreciation of good initiative from Jesus Christ. He commended those who were about Him with the twelve when they asked the meaning of His parables. He says, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those who are outside everything is in parables” The Lord loves it when we make initiative for salvation of our souls. 

We celebrate, today, St. Francis de Sales. He teaches that holiness is compatible with every  position and profession we embrace in life. “St Francis taught that we can all attain a devout and spiritual life, whatever our position in society: holiness is not reserved for monks and hermits alone. He wrote that ‘religious devotion does not destroy: it perfects,’ and his spiritual counsel is dedicated to making people more holy by making them more themselves.” (Universalis)  

St. Francis also emphasises the importance of love in preaching.  He says, “whoever wants to preach effectively must preach with love.” He is the patron saint of writers and journalists. 

Prayer 

O God, who for the salvation of souls willed that the Bishop Saint Francis de Sales become all things to all, graciously grant that, following his example, we may always display the gentleness of your charity in the service of our neighbour. Amen (Collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke