Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

FR MICHAEL BIBLICAL IMAGERY

(Fr Michael Boakye Yeboah: Vice Rector of St Gregory Seminary, Kumasi-Ghana)

THE DWELLING OF GOD

            As we get closer to Christmas the Church gives us readings that seem to instruct us on the theology of the dwelling place of God. Does God dwell in Churches and other sacred places or in hearts/bodies of the Christ Faithful? Where precisely is the dwelling place of God?

            In the first reading, the author to the second book of Samuel narrates to us that King David was not comfortable with the fact that he was living in a well-decorated palace and God was dwelling in a tent. In Psalm 132 David is reported to have said: ‘I will not enter the house where I live nor go to the bed where I rest; I will give no sleep to my eyes and to my eyelids I will give no slumber till I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling for the strong One of Jacob” (Psalm 132:3-5). It was based on this motivation and passion that he decided to do what most kings of nations do: build God an imposing dwelling-place. For David, the precise dwelling place of God should be a physical building. But God intervenes, because God has his own plans. God didn’t want David to be the person to build him a dwelling place. There is a big lesson here; at times we should discern and know the will of God before we embark on a “project”. It is not everything that one is expected to do. God had a different plan that was unknown to David.

            God lives not in palaces built with gold, silver and other precious materials but in men and women who believe and love. They are his temples and churches and they will never fall into ruins. Though David was not given the honor of building a befitting dwelling-place for God, God gave him an “eternal honor.”

            When Mary was chosen to be the Theotokos (the dwelling place of God/God bearer), she was betrothed to Joseph of the house of David. When Joseph came into the picture, he brought honor to the house of David. The place of the “house of David” is important in the theology on the “dwelling place of God” but what I would like to focus on is how Mary was found worthy to be Theotokos (the dwelling place of God/God bearer). The beauty of this theology lies in the fact that God has made our bodies dwelling places of his Holy Spirit.

            The second reading gives another perspective to the theology on the “dwelling-place of God.” The temple that God is building for himself will be completed only when “all the Gentiles have been brought to the obedience of faith.” That is how the letter to the Romans ends. The Christians who already believe are the means of the last phase of construction, for instead of shutting themselves up in their Church they remain open for the “mystery made manifest” to them by God. This final construction also proceeds upon the basis of the “prophetic writings”, which speak of David and of the Virgin. Far from being confined to the Church, they show that the “Gospel” addresses the world as a whole. The temple built by God always points beyond itself to a greater edifice planned by God, an edifice that will only be finished when “Christ has put all his enemies under his feet” and “hands over the Kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every (other) sovereignty and every authority and power”.

            We have every right to celebrate Christmas joyfully but let us be careful what we use our bodies for. Remember your body is the dwelling place of God (the temple of the Holy Spirit), so please keep it clean and holy. Say no to too much drinking and an absolute NO to any form of erotic activity that will render God’s dwelling place unworthy. Let me conclude with the words of St Paul: “May the God who give us peace make you completely his, and keep your whole being, spirit, soul, and body, free from all fault, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you will do it, for he is faithful” (1 Thess. 5:23-24). May the Baby Jesus find an inn in your heart.