HOMILY FOR 17TH THURSDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY FOR 17TH THURSDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: YOU ARE THE GLORY OF GOD
BY: Fr. Paul Karabari
Exod 40:16-21, 34-38; Psalm 83(84):3-6, 8,11; Matt 13:47-53
‘Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud abode upon it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.’
In the First Reading (Exodus 40:16-21.34-38), when the Jewish Tabernacle of worship was finally completed and erected in the desert, the scripture says the glory cloud covered the tent, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. It was so thick and completely filled the Tabernacle to such an extent that Moses could not enter in because of the cloud.
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Firstly, let us try to recognize what this event represented. It was the fulfilment of God’s desire to dwell amongst the Israelites. The Father delights in living amongst us. The Lord delights to be in communion with us. He gives us His body and blood daily. We should know and believe this truth deep in our hearts. We are not boredom to God. Sin has greatly ruined our relationship with the Father, but Christ came to restore us back to Him. He wants us. He delights to be with you.
Secondly, the scriptures tell us that the glory of the new covenant far exceeds that of the old covenant. Let us imagine what this means. Think about the experience of seeing the cloud of God fill a church like that today. What a glorious sight that would be. Yet the Lord says what we have today as baptized Christians far exceed what the Jews experienced. The Jews saw the cloud on the Tabernacle. The cloud was a visible manifestation of God’s presence.
Today, that presence is not something we see on a house or tent, as a cloud. That presence lives inside of us. That presence is the Holy Spirit that has become one with us. The Jews saw the cloud, and it was wonderful. We have now become the cloud, the visible manifestation of the invisible God. God’s intent is not for people to see Him as a cloud. They will see Him in us. So are the riches of the glory of our inheritance in Christ!
The cloud provided a direction to the people of Israel. It guided them on when to move and when not to. For us, the Holy Spirit within us provides guidance. We become a spirit- container with the glory of God. We must cherish the presence of God in us. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God bless you and your household always through Christ, our Lord Amen.
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