5th Week in Ordinary Time (Year A) : Monday 5th February 2024

Solomon, the King of Israel, and the whole community gathers in Jerusalem to dedicate the newly constructed temple to God. The Ark of the Covenant is then carried in procession by the priests to its rightful resting place in the temple, that is, in the Holy of Holies. In the ark are the two stone tablets that symbolise the Covenant that God had made with Israel. In the meantime, Solomon and the people offer sheep and oxen as sacrifice to God.

When the Ark is placed in the Holy of Holies, the glory of the Lord fills the temple. It shows that God is pleased with Solomon’s decision to build the temple and for the Ark to be placed there. The people too shout their approval. This highlights the connection that exists between God and the king, and between the temple and the palace.

The Gospel passage describes how the people rush to see Jesus. They go to Him wherever He is – in the villages, the towns and in the farms. They believed in faith that He can heal them of their brokenness and lack of meaning in their lives. Unlike the Ark of the Covenant which was placed in the temple to signify the presence of God, Jesus carries the presence, power and glory of God with Him wherever He goes. With Jesus, God’s presence cannot be confined to a particular city or building. In Jesus, God is present everywhere.

Lord, help me always to recognise Your presence.