So Much More

~~~ 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13 ~~~ Psalm 142 ~~~ Mark 6:53-56 ~~~

King Solomon and the entire community of Israel
present for the occasion
sacrificed before the ark sheep and oxen
too many to number or count.

The special feast honoring the ark of the covenant

 is taking place and people from all around have came together for this event.

The ark is surrounded by beauty...

suspended above are the large wings of the cherubim...

There was nothing in the ark but two cold 

stone tablets etched with the Ten Commandments. 

When the priests left the holy place,
the cloud filled the temple of the LORD
so that the priests could no longer minister because of the cloud...

In the Gospel today we see Jesus in a familiar spot, a boat. 

He is not surrounded with any special ornamentation;

just himself. There is such a stark contrast between the ark and Jesus.

The ark was inanimate and Jesus was alive, Jesus was a real person.

Jesus attracted the people because of who he was not because of what he was.

Seeing the ark was almost like going to a museum to see a precious object.

It is true that the people believed that God resided in that space.

When Jesus attracted a crowd, they came to see him.

They came to listen to his words.

They came presenting their brokenness.

They came to be healed.

Again we see crowds coming from all around the countryside.

They are carrying the sick on mats.

They firmly believed that merely

 touching a small tassel of his garment was enough

 to make them whole again.

Jesus did not exercise his loving compassionate 

heart under a dark cloud.

Jesus openly expressed his compassion... 

even through the very tip of his clothing.

What Jesus could do would never 

compare to the grandeur of the ark;

Jesus was so much more.

The ark was separated with the people...set apart.

But Jesus was out among the people.

Jesus walked with the people.

Jesus Blessed the people in every way he possibly could;

just as he Blesses us today.

Jesus wants you to see him walking with you

just as much as he wants you to see him in the Eucharist.

Whenever you happen to see a tassel or some fringe 

consider your many blessings.

Peace.