Daily Mass Readings – Monday, 7 February 2028

1 Then all the ancients of Israel with the princes of the tribes, and the heads of the families of the children of Israel were assembled to king Solomon in Jerusalem: that they might carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, that is, out of Sion.

2 And all Israel assembled themselves to king Solomon on the festival day in the month of Ethanim, the same is the seventh month.

3 And all the ancients of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark,

4 And carried the ark of the Lord, and the tabernacle of the covenant, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, that were in the tabernacle: and the priests and the Levites carried them.

5 And king Solomon, and all the multitude of Israel, that were assembled unto him went with him before the ark, and they sacrificed sheep and oxen that could not be counted or numbered.

6 And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord into its place, into the oracle of the temple, into the holy of holies under the wings of the cherubims.

7 For the cherubims spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and covered the art, and the staves thereof above.

9 Now in the ark there was nothing else but the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

10 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the sanctuary, that a cloud filled the house of the Lord,

11 And the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord.

12 Then Solomon said: The Lord said that he would dwell in a cloud.

13 Building I have built a house for thy dwelling, to be thy most firm throne for ever.

R. (8a) Lord, go up to the place of your rest!

6 Behold we have heard of it in Ephrata: we have found it in the fields of the wood.

7 We will go into his tabernacle: We will adore in the place where his feet stood.

R. Lord, go up to the place of your rest!

8 Arise, O Lord, into thy resting place: thou and the ark, which thou hast sanctified.

9 Let thy priests be clothed with justice: and let thy saints rejoice.

10 For thy servant David’s sake, turn not away the face of thy anointed.

R. Lord, go up to the place of your rest!

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

23 Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

53 And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Genezareth, and set to the shore.

54 And when they were gone out of the ship, immediately they knew him:

55 And running through that whole country, they began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.

56 And whithersoever he entered, into towns or into villages or cities, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch but the hem of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

When the ark of the covenant is brought into the temple, the glory of the Lord fills the house so completely that the priests cannot continue their service. God truly dwells among his people, faithful to the covenant written on the tablets. The psalm gives voice to this wonder: the Lord comes to his resting place, and those who belong to him rejoice in his presence.

That presence is revealed again in Jesus, but now moving through the villages and streets of Gennesaret. People recognize him, carry their sick to him, and ask to touch even the hem of his garment. The God whose glory filled the sanctuary is present in Christ with a mercy people can approach. His presence is not distant or closed off; it brings healing to those who come in faith. We may sometimes seek God only in impressive or sacred places, yet the Gospel shows him meeting human need in ordinary streets. Wherever Christ is welcomed, suffering can be brought into his presence. Our faith becomes concrete when we bring others to him through prayer, compassion, and patient care.

Lord God, your glory filled the holy place, and your mercy walked among the people in Jesus your Son. Teach me to recognize your presence with reverence and trust, especially where human need is greatest. Give me the faith to come close to Christ and to bring others to him through prayer, kindness, and faithful care. Heal what is wounded in me, purify what is selfish, and clothe your servants with justice. May my life become a welcoming place for your presence, so that those who encounter me may find hope in your mercy. Amen.