Vox Clamantis In Deserto…
A Voice Crying In The Desert…
This week as you come to Mass you probably noticed a change in the sanctuary: the tabernacle is in the middle, and not only that, but it is veiled. On my first Sunday here I announced that the presider’s chair would be moved to the side, because the presider is not the center of attention, Jesus is. This latest change is one more step in making sure that Jesus our focus. He is the heart and focal point of our parish community, and now this is reflected in our parish Church.
The tabernacle is also veiled. There are many reasons for this, the first of which is that the Church asks us to veil the tabernacle. The very word “tabernacle” means “tent.” It is the word that the Israelites used to describe the tent in which the Ark of the Covenant was kept. The Ark of the covenant is where God dwelled. Within it was kept some of the miraculous manna – the heavenly bread - which fed the Israelites as they wandered in the desert. This tabernacle of old was considered so holy that is was kept veiled; hidden from our sight. The tabernacle that we have doesn’t contain merely manna, but the very bread of life, Jesus Himself. It is much more sacred, much more holy, and thus it too is veiled.
The veil is meant to remind us that in this life we do not yet see the fullness of heaven…we do not see God face to face. One day we will enter behind the veil that is between this life and the life to come. Then we will see God face to face. But here we do not have such a privilege, heaven is behind the veil. We know it is there, but we cannot see through it. The veil on our tabernacle reminds us this. It should make us long to see into the tabernacle…into the dwelling of God…into heaven itself.
I pray that this small change to the Sanctuary will be a constant reminder of who is the focus of everything we do as a parish community. Our eyes are set firmly on Jesus. He is the center of our parish. He is the heart of our parish, for from His Sacred Heart, truly present in the tabernacle, His Precious Blood flows to each and every part of His Mystical Body, the Church. Ever time that we enter this Church, let us gaze upon His presence, hidden behind a veil, and let us fall to our knees and praise Him who loves us so much as to continue to live in our presence through the gift of the Holy Eucharist.
