WHERE IS GOD, AND WHO AM I?

"When you approach the tabernacle remember that he has been waiting for you for twenty centuries."--St. Josemaria Escriva

Ex 40:16-21, 34-38
Moses did exactly as the LORD had commanded him.
On the first day of the first month of the second year
the Dwelling was erected.
It was Moses who erected the Dwelling.
He placed its pedestals, set up its boards, put in its bars,
and set up its columns.
He spread the tent over the Dwelling
and put the covering on top of the tent,
as the LORD had commanded him.
He took the commandments and put them in the ark;
he placed poles alongside the ark and set the propitiatory upon it.
He brought the ark into the Dwelling and hung the curtain veil,
thus screening off the ark of the commandments,
as the LORD had commanded him.

Then the cloud covered the meeting tent,
and the glory of the LORD filled the Dwelling.
Moses could not enter the meeting tent,
because the cloud settled down upon it
and the glory of the LORD filled the Dwelling.
Whenever the cloud rose from the Dwelling,
the children of Israel would set out on their journey.
But if the cloud did not lift, they would not go forward;
only when it lifted did they go forward.
In the daytime the cloud of the LORD was seen over the Dwelling;
whereas at night, fire was seen in the cloud
by the whole house of Israel
in all the stages of their journey.

The book of Exodus ends with the erection of the Dwelling by Moses. The Dwelling contained the ark of the covenant, and the ark contained the Ten Commandments (Ex 40:20-21). Here God was present in the most powerful way on earth. "In the daytime the cloud of the Lord was seen over the Dwelling; whereas at night, fire was seen in the cloud" (Ex 40:38). "The glory of the Lord filled the Dwelling" (Ex 40:34).

In the new covenant, it is amazing but true that the Dwelling of God is not only among us, but it is us. We who are baptized into Jesus have become the Dwelling of God. We are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). The Holy Trinity lives in us. God is in us and we in Him (see Jn 17:23).

Does your life indicate that you realize you are the Dwelling of God? "Test yourselves to see whether you are living in faith; examine yourselves. Perhaps you yourselves do not realize that Christ Jesus is in you" (2 Cor 13:5). Many Christians are surprised to hear that God's presence on earth is so strong and that we already experience in some way God's heavenly presence. Many people, even Christians, feel far away from God. To change this, "draw close to God, and He will draw close to you. How do we do this, you may ask. The answer is simple, by participating in the Sacrament of Penance. Cleanse your hands; purify your hearts" (Jas 4:8). When we repent and are purified, our awareness of God's presence will be restored. Believe it, and it is just that simple. Jesus loves us and we should never be afraid to confess our sins. He is God, He knows what we have done already. Now its time to just ask for his forgiveness and mercy, it is there for the taking.

Never forget, you are a living, walking, loving tabernacle. So, be pure as Jesus is pure (1 Jn 3:3)