Today's Thoughts...

Today’s Thoughts: Where is God’s dwelling place? In a house? All around us? In heaven? In the Kingdom? In the Ark of the Covenant? Within us? Where does God dwell?
 
Well the answer to all the questions above just might be “Yes.” In our reading today from the Book of Exodus, Moses sets up a dwelling for God, by following God’s instructions. For the Israelites at that moment God’s dwelling place will be the Ark of the Covenant along with the Ten Commandments. This becomes the place where God visits and communicate with his people. Moses follows God’s instructions and creates a place for the Ark, and a place where God can dwell. God comes there and communicates with his people. He lets them know when it is safe to move, and when to stay. He dwelt with them and protects them as they journey through life.
 
In the Responsorial Psalm we hear, “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!” What is the psalmist talking about? A physical place? The world around us? This world is God’s creation. He made it for us so we would have a place to live. All of creation is beautiful and holy. The sparrows have their nests, and God protects them. We have this world for our home, the world God created.
 
The psalmist says he would rather live one day with the Lord than a thousand with the wicked, but those who will be with the Lord for eternity will be with the Lord for eternity. And those who will end up with the wicked will be there for eternity too.
 
These words echo Jesus’ words is the Gospel today. He says everyone will die, but the good will make their way into the Kingdom and the wicked will make their way into the fiery furnace.
 
As again, where does God dwell? In all of creation and in our hearts. If we open our hearts to God and recognize his dwelling within us, then we will live with him forever in the Kingdom. The question today is – Does our soul yearns and pines God and is our heart crying out day in and day out for the living God?
 
Have a great Thursday everyone!