Monday – 5th Week in Ordinary Time – A

And we recall that prior to this reading that we have today, all the events that happened with King David, Solomon’s father—how King David was chosen by God for a very special mission, to be king over His people Israel, and to govern with justice and righteousness. And with the help and the inspiration of God, we know that when King David felt bad about the Ark of the Covenant just being left in a tent, in some building that wasn’t consecrated, he resolved to construct a Temple.

But the Lord God, through His prophet, advised David that he would not be able to construct the Temple because of all the blood he had on his hands—in other words, all the battles that he fought, all the life that he took. And so God promised that his son would build Him a fitting place wherein to reside and to be with His people Israel.

And so in today’s reading, we have a description of what happens when this Temple is actually constructed, built, consecrated, and celebrated. We read in the first reading from the First Book of Kings that the elders of Israel and all the leaders of the tribes, the princes, and the ancestral houses of the children of Israel came to King Solomon in Jerusalem to bring up the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant from the City of David, which is Zion (1 Kgs 8:1).

So they are bringing up the Ark. Why? Because geographically, the City of David, which is also known as Zion, was a different location from Jerusalem and from the Temple that Solomon constructed for the Holy of Holies. So we see a progression—something moving upward even geographically. Something marvelous is happening here in salvation history, especially in the life of ancient Israel.

If you look at a map, you will see that the City of David, Zion, is just south of Jerusalem, a short distance away. And so they make this sacred procession from where the Ark had resided to where the Ark will now rest.

Now we recall what the Ark is. God not only promised to be with His people, but He also promised to be present within a particular place, even though He cannot be confined (cf. 1 Kgs 8:27). He chose to reside where He would impart blessings of life, protection, and guidance.

Within the Ark of the Covenant were the manna that fell in the desert (Ex 16:33), the staff of Aaron representing the priesthood (Num 17:25), and the tablets of the Law representing the Word of God (Deut 10:5). All of these are prefigurations of the Ark of the Covenant that would come—more glorious, more resplendent.

The new Ark of the Covenant was a woman, a human body, a womb immaculately conceived and preserved from all sin. Within that womb, God would assume human nature through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus would be born of a human mother. He fulfills all that was contained in the Ark: He is the Bread of Life who came down from heaven (Jn 6:35), the High Priest who lays down His life for His sheep (Heb 4:14), and the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn 1:14).

This Temple that Solomon built was magnificent. Yet it would be destroyed during the Babylonian invasion (587 BC). A second Temple would be built and later beautified by King Herod, but even that Temple would be destroyed between the years 60 and 70 AD.

All of this points to the fact that the Temple served its purpose. As Jesus Himself says, “something greater than the Temple is here” (Mt 12:6). God now extends His presence throughout the world—in every tabernacle, in every Catholic church. When you walk in and see the sanctuary lamp lit, that is the Holy of Holies.

And on every altar in the world, the Lamb is presented to God anew—not as a new sacrifice, but as the one eternal sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, made present at every consecration (cf. Heb 9:26–28). There is no longer one altar in Jerusalem; every Catholic altar now offers the one Lamb of Sacrifice.

As Saint John the Baptist proclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world” (Jn 1:29).

In today’s Gospel, we see why something greater than the Temple is here. Wherever Jesus went, the people begged Him that they might touch even the tassel of His cloak, and as many as touched it were healed (Mk 6:56). Such power emanated from Him because He is God among us.

My brothers and sisters, the Lord wants to heal us—physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. Seek His healing. Seek the One who is greater than the Temple, greater than any king, for He is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev 19:16).

Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, the new Ark of the Covenant, may you and your family be blessed this day.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.