The Tabernacle
As we embark on the journey
towards building a physical tabernacle in our church, we are reminded that we are called to be vessels of God's love and presence in the world by being living tabernacles. As Catholics, we believe that the Eucharist is the true presence of Christ. When we receive the Eucharist, we become living tabernacles, carrying Christ within us. We are called to be a holy people, set apart for God's purposes, and to live our lives in a way that reflects the love and grace of Christ, so that others may see Him in us.
As we reflect on our faith and call to be a living tabernacle, it is important to understand the significance of the tabernacle in the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, the tabernacle served as a physical dwelling place for God among His people. It contained the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest made of acacia wood and coated with gold, which held the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments, a jar of manna that God provided during their time in the wilderness, and Aaron's staff, representing God's chosen priesthood. The Ark symbolized God's presence and reminded the Israelites of His covenant with them. Today, the tabernacle in the church is a reminder of the covenant God made with His people and His continual presence among us. It serves as a tangible reminder of His love and desire to be present in our lives. Just as the tabernacle was a physical dwelling place for God, the Eucharist kept in a tabernacle reverences the real presence of Christ.
Additionally, the tabernacle of the Old Testament was a place of worship and sacrifice, where the Israelites could come to offer their prayers and offerings to God. Today, the tabernacle serves as a place of worship and adoration, allowing us to encounter and commune with God. Also, just as the tabernacle was a place of sacrifice, we too are called to offer our lives as a living sacrifice to God, holy and pleasing to Him (Romans 12:1). We do this by surrendering our wills to His, and allowing Him to work in and through us to accomplish His purposes. In the New Testament, the tabernacle takes on a new meaning as Jesus Christ, the Son of God, becomes the new tabernacle. He came to dwell among us, to be our Savior and Redeemer. Through His death and resurrection, He opened the way for us to be reconciled with God and to become living tabernacles ourselves through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We must allow the Holy Spirit to transform us into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). This means that we must desire to live our lives in a way that reflects God's love and grace to those around us. We must be intentional about our actions and attitudes, allowing the Holy Spirit to bring hope and healing to others through us.
As we delve deeper into the significance of the tabernacle and our role as living tabernacles, let us seize the opportunity to carry Christ within us wherever we go and spread His love and mercy to all those around us. May we truly believe that our lives can be an example of God's grace and compassion as we answer the call to be His hands and feet in a world that is in desperate need of hope. May we strive to be faithful living tabernacles, shining the light of Christ in every aspect of our lives.
Called to be a Living Tabernacle
by Crystal Koll