TEMPLE TANTRUMS

"Advance, O Lord, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your majesty." –Psalm 132:8

God was untouchable. Even if you touched the mountain that God was on, you would instantly die (Ex 19:12). God later restrained His glory enough so that people could be in the Temple with Him, although He was still untouchable as He dwelt in a dark cloud (1 Kgs 8:12).

Almost a thousand years after God first became present in the Temple, He did what is still unbelievable for much of the world. The Lord God became a Baby. Now God could be touched, tickled, kissed, caressed, poked, pushed, hit, and crucified. Those who touched God in faith were healed, freed, and transformed (Mk 6:56).

After Jesus ascended into heaven, He remained touchable in His Body, the Church, and especially in the Eucharist. God so emptied Himself that He not only became a human being; He also comes to us under the appearances of bread and wine. Now He is more than touchable; He lives within us. We are now His temple (see 1 Cor 6:19). This is incredible, but true.

Touch and worship the all-holy, all-powerful, infinite God, Who makes His dwelling within you (Jn 6:56; 17:23).

PRAYER:  Father, may I be a pure temple for You.
PROMISE:  "May Your priests be clothed with justice; let Your faithful ones shout merrily for joy." –Ps 132:9
PRAISE:  As he was being martyred, St. Paul Miki said: "I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as a fruitful rain."