How lovely is Your Dwelling Place, Lord

Thursday, 3rd August 2023. Read Exodus 40:16-21,34-38, Ps. 84:3-6,8,11, Matthew 13:47-53

“How lovely is thy dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yea, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.” (Psalm 84:1-2)

Today’s Psalmist sings: “How lovely is your Dwelling Place, O Lord, Mighty God.” In our first reading today, we are told: “Then the cloud covered the meeting tent, and the glory of the Lord filled the Dwelling. Moses could not enter the meeting tent because the cloud settled down upon it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Dwelling.”

The Israelites had the privilege of seeing the glory of God in the form of a thick cloud. If only God could open our eyes to see his glory, ascending and descending upon the Tabernacle, we would not be able to contain ourselves.

As the Psalmist sings: My soul longs and yearns to be in God’s presence. A day in God’s house is better than a thousand elsewhere! I would rather dwell in the foot mats of God’s house than have a three-bedroom suite in the devil’s mansion.

Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a net thrown into the river and catches both big and small fish. This parable is similar to that of the weeds and wheat. In the church, you have all kinds of people; those who are there to worship God and those who are there to steal, kill and destroy; those who are there to repent (and begin a new life) and those who are there to recruit souls for the devil; those who are there to better their lives and those who are there to attack, divide and cause a commotion.

By giving us the parable of the small and big fish, Jesus is saying that even if you are a small fish, God will give you a second chance to grow into a big fish. This is why the fishermen throw back the small fish into the river.

Do you remember Ananias and Sapphira? What sin did they commit that warranted their immediate deaths? They told lies. We cannot deny that we have told greater lies, yet God is merciful to us. He continues to spare our lives. Like the small fishes are thrown back into the river, God gives us second chances every day to repent, grow to maturity and develop our potential for His kingdom. Don’t wait till it’s too late. 

Let us pray: Almighty ever-living God, increase my love and devotion to you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of week 17 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Exodus 40:16-21,34-38, Ps. 84:3-6,8,11, Matthew 13:47-53).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu