Posted on 05/17/2003 4:34:33 AM PDT by NYer
The Tabernacle behind the altar is one (of many) of my pet peeves. Probably the one that bothers me the most.
Part of our problems stem from the wordy and sometimes mushy stuff that comes out of the Vatican and most particularly, from the American bishops (USCCB). The moving of the Tabernacle I believe, is sacriligious. Unless of course the church is a church where there are many tourists - like St. Peter's or even my diocesean Cathedral. Then it is appropriate to place the Tabernacle in a side chapel for quiet prayer and reflection, far from the madding crowd, so to speak.
My parish priest says the Tabernacle on the main altar detracts or makes smaller the celebration of the Mass - they are two separate things, sez he. I don't see that at all - and I don't think most people do. Sounds like he has read too many "theologians" from some of our CINO colleges and universities.
Becky
God instructed Moses to build the Ark of the Covenant 45 inches long and 27 inches high. That was 3,250 years ago (Exodus 25:10-22). Our Tabernacle is 45 inches long and is 27 inches high.
Two Cherubim faced each other over the Ark of the Covenant. Two Cherubim face each other over the Tabernacle.
The Ark of the Covenant was a symbol of God's presence; the Lord was believed to dwell between the Cherubim. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is truly present in the Tabernacle between the Cherubim.
The Ark of the Covenant was a place where God and His people communicated. The Tabernacle is a place where Jesus and His people communicate.
The Ark of the Covenant is a symbol of God's covenant with His people. The Tabernacle is a sign of the New Covenant of Jesus Christ with His people.
The Ark of the Covenant contained the Ten Commandments on two tablets of stone which were thought to go back to the time of Moses (1Kings 8:9). The Tabernacle contains not just God's Word to His people in the 10 Commandments, but God's Word Himself (John 1:1); this is symbolized in front of the Tabernacle by a book on which the Alpha and Omega appear - Jesus Christ, the beginning and end, the First and the Last (Rev 1:17).
A tradition said that the Ark of the Covenant also contained a vessel of Manna (Hebrews 9:4). The Tabernacle contains the true bread from heaven - Jesus Christ (John 6:49-51); this is symbolized by the chalice, grapes and bread, in the front (Lk 22:19-20).
A tradition said that the Ark of the Covenant also contained the rod of Aaron (Hebrews 9:4). A shepherd's staff on the outside of the Tabernacle indicates that Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, is inside the Tabernacle (Jn 10:11). The standing lamb is a symbol of the fact that within the Tabernacle is the Lamb of God - Jesus Christ (Jn 1:29). The Lamb is standing, indicating He is victorious.
With the Ark of the Covenant, God's presence could be seen by the people in the Old Testament and the "Glory of the Lord filled the dwelling" (Exodus 40:34). God is present to us now through His Son, Jesus Christ, who is present in the Tabernacle and is the new way into the Glory of God. Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promise of this intimate and everlasting presence through a new covenant in which "the nations shall know that it is I, the Lord, who make Israel holy, when mu sanctuary shall be set up among them forever." (Ex 37:28)
The gold plate on the Ark of the Covenant was the "place of atonement", the place where God received atonement, i.e., where reconciled satisfaction was made for sin and man with God. In the Tabernacle, we have Jesus Christ, who is truly present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. He is reconciliation for our sins because the Father sent Him for this purpose (1Jn 2:2;4:10). God reconciles us and the world to Himself in Christ (2Cor 5:18-19). We receive reconciliation through Christ (Rom 5:11).
The Fleur de Lis is an ancient form of the lily which is the most popular symbol of virginal purity and is especially applied to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Popular during the 12th century, it was selected by the French kings as their symbol. Later, it was used in the banner of Joan of Arc. It is in the window above the Crucifix and on the front of the Tabernacle. It also surrounds the Tabernacle in which Jesus is present, symbolizing the fact that the virginal body of Mary surrounded the presence of God on this earth (Jesus) for the 9 months she was carrying Him. She is then the new Ark of the Covenant.
The Revelation of Yahweh to His chosen People was given to the Israelites and transmitted from generation to generation for centuries.
Peter defined the process of handing down the Revelation of Yahweh from father to son. The Greek word for this process of handing on the Word of God is paradosis .
1 Pet 1:18-19
... realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on (patroparadotos) by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless and unblemished lamb
The Bible testifies that the Apostolic Church exercised this teaching authority ("holding fast to the true message ... to refute opponents" (Tit 1:9)) beyond the words and deeds of Jesus Christ.
The Acts of the Apostles records that there were different truths being taught regarding keeping the Mosaic Law. One group represented by Judaizers taught that Gentile Christians must come to the Christian life through keeping the Mosaic Law; the second group represented by Paul taught that Gentile Christians did not need to keep the Mosaic Law. There was also no Scripture regarding the truth of the issue. So they appealed to the authority of the Holy Spirit in council. The Catholic Church has followed this model ever since. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry, Becky, I neglected to post the prologue to the catechism which is quite lengthy. Perhaps this will qualify the nature of the document.
This catechism aims at presenting an organic synthesis of the essential and fundamental contents of Catholic doctrine, as regards both faith and morals, in the light of the Second Vatican Council and the whole of the Church's Tradition. Its principal sources are the Sacred Scriptures, the Fathers of the Church, the liturgy, and the Church's Magisterium. It is intended to serve "as a point of reference for the catechisms or compendia that are composed in the various countries".15
Part Three: The Life of Faith
16 The third part of the Catechism deals with the final end of man created in the image of God: beatitude, and the ways of reaching it - through right conduct freely chosen, with the help of God's law and grace (Section One), and through conduct that fulfills the twofold commandment of charity, specified in God's Ten Commandments (Section Two).
I am fascinated with the concept of Mary bearing the child of God. It appears to me a logical argument that for her to bear a child by another man while the father of her first child was still living would open her to biblical accusation. And Jesus WAS the only BEGOTTEN of the Father.
It is a small step from there to the process by which Mary "came to be with Child of the Holy Ghost." If the Holy God cannot be in the presence of sin without the destruction of that sin from His presence, then what MUST we have the state of Mary being when she was "overshadowed by the Most High?" She must have been perfect in all her ways before God, the Father of her son, Jesus Christ.
If you ponder this for a while, Mary's "yes" to God through the Archangel Gabriel, must surely have been accompanied by serious repercussions.
Move the story to today and it is no different. Imagine, if you will, your teenage daughter comes to you and tells you that an angel has asked her to be the mother of God's son. Today, yesterday, two thousand years ago, any parent would have had a similar reaction ... "yeah, sure". Now you find out that she is pregnant AND she is not married! What's your first reaction?
Even today, in Afghanistan, girls of 14 are betrothed and married off in pre-arranged unions. Just this week, I happened to watch a special on TLC about women giving birth around the world. One of the situations occured in Afghanistan. There was a side story - a 14 year old girl married off by her parents. The next morning, the in-laws come to the girl's parents, claiming that she was not a virgin. This is today, not 2 thousand years ago!!! Both families accompanied the girl to the hospital; the girl's mother carried with her a bloody rag from the previous night (supposedly evidence that her daughter was a virgin). Once at the hospital, the girl was examined by a team of doctors to determine whether or not she had been a virgin the night before. They decided in favor of yes. The girl was then returned to the in-laws who didn't believe the doctors. They were then free to do with her as they chose.
In Mary's day, unwed mothers were stoned to death. Imagine Joseph's response when Mary told him that she was "with child" by the Holy Spirit.
There is so much about the life of Jesus not recounted in the gospels. And yet, so much emphasis is placed on Mary's "virgin birth", by the gospel writers, without giving us any other details about her life prior to that event.
Mary's "yes" is truly worth reflection!
Im in agreement becky - however Im confused and wish someone would help me clear up why I have the notion that Jesus Himself was the most faithful
what am I missing / overlooking
you do realize mormons would say the same of Joseph smith - I think they call it extrabiblical for a reason
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