Divine Dwelling: The Tabernacle

The Hebrew word for tabernacle means “dwelling place.” The English word is derived from the Latin word tabernaculum, which means “tent.”

In biblical times, the tabernacle was known as the dwelling place of God. Within the tabernacle was an inner shrine known as the “holy of holies,” which housed the ark of the covenant.

Biblical accounts describe the ark as large, about the size of a nineteenth-century seaman’s chest, made of gold-plated wood, and topped with two large, golden angels. The ark of the covenant contained several sacred objects, including the stone tablets bearing the inscription of the Ten Commandments.

The Israelites carried the ark throughout their forty-year sojourn in the desert. When the Israelites were on the move, the ark went ahead of them and was believed to have cleared impediments from their path and protected them in battle. When the Israelites stopped to camp, the ark was placed in a separate tent called the tabernacle

Later, when Solomon built his Temple, a special room was constructed to house the ark, but the Babylonians destroyed the Temple in 587 bc. To this day, no one knows what happened to the ark. Even before the destruction of Solomon’s Temple, the prophet Jeremiah foretold the ark’s disappearance.

When you increase in number and are fruitful in the land— oracle of the Lord—

They will in those days no longer say, “The ark of the covenant of the Lord!” They will no longer think of it, or remember it, or miss it, or make another one. (3:16)

Jeremiah’s prophecy revealed that there would no longer be a need for the ark of the covenant. God would make a new covenant with his people through his Son, Jesus Christ.

For Catholics, the tabernacle is a place of divine dwelling because it houses the Eucharistic presence of God. That’s why Catholics genuflect before the tabernacle. The tabernacle was born out of necessity. The Church needed a place to keep the Eucharist for the sick and those who were unable to come to Mass.

In the Middle Ages, a devotion grew up around the Blessed Sacrament reserved in the tabernacle. The tabernacle itself became an object of devotion. However, its primary purpose was and is to reserve Communion for the sick.

It is on the altar where the sacrifice of the community is joined to the sacrifice of Christ. It is on the altar where the sacrifice is blessed and sanctified. This is why in many churches parishioners place a host into the ciborium before Mass begins as a sign of their participation at the altar. When the consecrated host is received in Holy Communion, we are “tabernacled,” that is, we become the dwelling place of God.

The ark of the covenant was rich and ornate, as have been many tabernacles throughout history. However, we, like the prophet Jeremiah, understand that God cannot be contained in or confined to a single place. As the evangelist John says at the beginning of his Gospel, “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” That is, literally, “pitched his tent among us.” God’s dwelling, therefore, is with the human race, now and forever.

Parish Council Minutes April 2023

St. Monica - St. Elizabeth of Hungary - St. Stephen of Hungary has a Parish Council which assists and advises the pastor in the pastoral planning and outreach of our parish.

A SUMMARY OF THE APRIL 26TH, 2023 PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES

The Parish Retreat was a huge success and very well attended. One change was suggested. In the future, the decision to film the retreat or not needs to be discussed at the planning stage.

Parish Council members were asked to invite possible new Council members to the May meeting to give our guests the opportunity to observe the Council at work and then to decide if becoming a member would be a good fit for them.

Roles and responsibilities of the next Parish Associate hire were discussed.

Liz provided an update of the activities of the Green Team. A film screening of “The Letter” is planned for October 7, 2023, at 7pm. A Laudato Si Autumn prayer walk in Central Park is in the planning stage as well as a “Care for Creation Fair” with New York Grows/Dept. of Sanitation.

Roz spoke about several topics that the Social Justice Committee might engage with, such as, voter registration and helping with the homeless. Father Baker suggested a creating a Social Justice calendar monthly around events in the civil calendar.

A Bylaws revision committee was formed. This committee has met and made changes that will be outlined next month.

Photos of Parish Council members will be posted on a sign at the entrance of the church in September 2023.

PASTOR’S NOTES included the following topics: formation of a Parishioners’ Association; 8th graders helping at Mass in June; Msgr. Leslie Ivers offering to act as Spiritual Director to service parishioners - over Zoom; the Archdiocese’s Security Training program. Tony volunteered to attend the meeting and report back; the June 4th Mass dedicated to Michael Ward and naming the newly renovated sacristy in his name; Rabbi Joel’s offer to explore the interaction between spirituality and baking with different groups of interested persons, such as, seniors ministry members, by baking bread while sharing spiritual stories; and that we are about fifteen thousand dollars away from our goal of $103,000 re the Cardinal’s Appeal.

The next Parish Council meeting was held on Wednesday, May 24th.

Five Minute Jesus

Using the Gospel for Prayer - Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time June 18, 2023

It’s simple. 1. Read the Gospel for the following Sunday slowly, reflecting on the story it tells. 2. Reflect on the questions assigned for each day. 3. Make some resolution about how what you read can be lived that day. 4. Then thank God for speaking to you through this reflection.

Gospel Matthew 9:36-10:8

At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few so, ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon from Cana, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him. Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received, without cost you are to give.”

Monday, June 12th

Was there something in the reading that spoke to me? Comforted me? Challenged me? What was it? Why did it have this effect on me?

Tuesday, June 13th

In today’s Gospel, the apostles are entrusted with Jesus’ works of proclamation and healing. The calling continues today. We, as disciples, are called to continue the loving ministry of Jesus in the world. In what specific way (s) might I continue to serve him in my world?

Wednesday, June 14th

Notice that Jesus instructs his apostles to “Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” not “into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town.” Why do I think Jesus is so emphatic about where the apostles are to go?

Thursday, June 15th

Jesus goes on to urge the apostles to proclaim to Jewish Christians that ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Their relationship, as well as our relationship to Jesus, is close. How, then, are we expected to resemble him in word and deed?

How relevant is this relationship for us?

Friday, June 16th

Discipleship involves mission. The disciples’ mission continues that of Jesus in preaching the coming of the reign of God and healing the sick. Jesus has gifted us freely. What are the gifts I have received freely? What gifts might I offer others freely?

Saturday, June 17th

Is my heart ‘moved to compassion’ when I see people in need around me? What do I usually do?