Exodus 40:16 – 21,34 – 38 / Psalm. 84:2,3 – 5a / Matthew.13 : 47 – 53

The first reading of the day as we have heard reminds us yet again of God’s ever encompassing presence, love and kindness, by which He gathered each and every one of us, His beloved ones, from being scattered all over the whole world. The tabernacle is the vehicle through which the glory of God sojourns with Israel. It is also the means by which the glory of God can be present in sovereign ways in the midst of the whole earth.

Moses’ task of erecting the tabernacle had come to a completion. Everything that could be done by human agents was now complete. Truth is, what remained unfinished was that which only Yahweh could do. So, Moses and Israel engaged only in an act of hope awaiting the Dweller (Yahweh) for whom the tabernacle is constructed.

Beloved, there is an assurance in this reading that the very presence of God abides, continually, reliably, enduringly; God is willing to be present with God’s people. God’s people were not sent out alone in the world, for alone they lacked the resources for survival. The Israelites having experienced the loving presence of God in their sojourn knew that in every dangerous circumstance, their path was transformed by the accompanying Presence Yahweh.

Brethren, If the Tabernacle represents the love and the willingness of God to be with His people, even while He was still intangible in His Holy Presence, then by the incarnation of the Son and Word of God Himself in the flesh, becoming the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, God has revealed to us His love manifested perfectly in the flesh, before us. This not only means that His love has been made manifest even more clearly to us, but His love and truth, His glory and Presence will accompany us. Let us note this, the will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you. When it seems like there’s just too much ongoing, there is only one place of solace and it’s in the Tabernacle or Blessed Sacrament.

Jesus in the gospel tells us about the parable of the good and bad, new and old. He further shares that just as the fishermen sit down by the shore of the sea, to separate out the good fish from the bad, so at the end of time there will be a separation of the good and the bad. The gospel is preached to all and sundry, who need to hear the gospel of God’s unconditional love for all. Nevertheless, there will come a moment, when God will separate out those who tried to respond to Jesus’ proclamation of God’s loving presence and those who refused to do so.

God does not abandon us; He intends to patiently guide us to Himself; however, we must also realised that we cannot take God’s love and patient care for us for granted. Every day we are presented with options which are good or bad. We must be able to discern the difference and choose the good. For sure, there will be a separation, but it will be based not on God’s preferences but on how well or otherwise we open ourselves up to God’s creative and renewing presence in our lives.  

Mass Intentions: Let’s say a prayer for the intentions of Callistus Ogoh, Cynthia Ozor, Nobert Okocha Chiedu, Joshua Nagba – Kpalap, Denis Nandaah and Margaret Shoyinka.