2/7/2012 – Tuesday of fifth week – 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30

        Today's first reading from the first book of Kings tells us about Solomon, the son of King David.  At the time of this reading. Solomon is now King and his father David is living out his final days.  David had planned on building a Temple in Jerusalem, but that task now falls to Solomon. 

         Solomon speaks to the people of Israel in front of the Ark of Covenant in the newly constructed Temple, proud at having at last an appropriate place for their worship of the Lord, the place the people saw as the residence of the God of Israel.  Solomon makes a prayer of gratitude to the Lord as he speaks to the people of Israel who are assembled there.

         As we hear about this newly built Temple in Jerusalem, as we listen to the gratitude and humility with which the people present themselves before God, it makes me wonder if we really see ourselves as inhabiting the Temple of the Lord in our bodies which are truly Temples of the Holy Spirit?  And do we consciously understand that we as a community of Christ's followers form the Body of Christ here on earth, entrusted with bringing Christ's Gospel to the ends of the earth?  When I go into the prisons to celebrate mass with the inmates, I see how eager they are to hear God's word and to gather together with us around the Lord's table.  May we always have an attitude of eagerness, gratefulness, and gratitude in coming before the Lord and in our identity as the community of the faithful.

         I am also so touched and inspired by how many people come to our mass of anointing each month.  We not only find a special presence of healing in our lives through the sacraments we receive today, but we also share food and fellowship as a community of faith.  Let us give thanks to the Lord for the opportunity to gather in his house today, for the blessings his gives us through these sacraments.