Day 49: The Year of Jubilee

Exodus Ch 35-40 The final six chapters of Exodus detail the construction of the sanctuary, the furnishings, and the vestments for the priests. At times it repeats nearly word for word the directions God gave in Ch 24-31. The purpose of this narrative is to show the importance of the various components of Jewish worship and how carefully the people of Israel obeyed the precepts of the Lord. These passages reveal the enthusiasm with which the people supported the construction of the Tabernacle. (CCC 1069-1070, 1097)


Leviticus Ch 24:23-34 Former property owners had the right to purchase back the property they had sold. If they did not have enough to cover the original price at which it sold, a close relative could contribute money to assist in the repurchase. The relative who made this free contribution was called a goel, which means “redeemer.” Christ the Redeemer supplied the price needed to purchase back our heavenly home; without the merits of Christ, no one would be able to obtain everlasting life in Heaven. (CCC 1)


Ch 25:35-55 An Israelite could not charge a fellow Israelite interest on a loan. Excessive interest on money lent, called “usury,” is an offense not only against the Seventh Commandment but also against the Fifth since it extorts material goods needed to sustain the basic necessities of life. (CCC 2269, 2440)


Psalm 81 A relationship with God was at the heart of the Old Covenant. God revealed himself through his Laws, inspirations, and directives to those he placed in authority. God invited his people to a loving response through prayer and fidelity to his Laws. Despite all that God had done for the people of Israel, however, they often strayed into sin and idolatry.


The focal point for Christians of a dialogue with God is Jesus Christ, who is the visible expression of the love of God the Father. Through Christ God constantly invites every person to repentance and forgiveness, and in Christ we can clearly see that God desires our salvation and everlasting happiness rather than the punishment of eternal damnation. (Cf. St. John Paul II, General Audience, April 24, 2002)

(*The Didache Bible RSV-CE Ignatius Edition, 2006)

Key Event 24: The Tabernacle (Exodus 36-38)

The Tabernacle is the portable tent-sanctuary that accompanies Israel through its wilderness wandering after the Exodus. The God who revealed His presence on Mount Sinai thus continues to abide with His people. The inner room of the Tabernacle is the HOLY OF HOLIES, which contains the ARK OF THE COVENANT, where the Lord is “enthroned upon the cherubim” (Ps 99:1). The Tabernacle foreshadows the risen body of Jesus, in whom “the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Col 2:9; see Jn 1:14) 



Prayer by Fr Mike: “Father in Heaven, we give you praise. We thank you so much for your Word. We thank you for confounding us. We thank you for confusing us. Lord God, when we hear about slavery, when we hear about these things that have been such a scourge on humanity for so many years, we just ask that you enlighten our minds, to be able to understand what is the reason that you allowed for this to take place. What is it that you’re teaching us in doing this and allowing this to be a part of the life of the people of Israel, your people. Lord God, help us to not harden our hearts, nor tell our minds to be darkened. But, open our hearts and open our minds to not be minds of cynicism or skepticism, to not have hearts of distrust. Open our hearts to trusting you. We make this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

ANDREW'S PARALLELS

Exodus 35 commands no work be done on the sabbath, the day consecrated to the Lord.  As the Sanhedrin plotted to entrap Jesus, he illuminates the true meaning of hallowing the day of worship with worsk of chairty and mercy.

A side-by-side look at Moses calling whoever is of a generous heart to contribute to the construction of the Tabernacle and holy things.  St. Paul reiterates this in contributions made to the church.

Just as Moses called everyone who was able to build up the Tabernacle and holy things, St. Paul taught that the the gifts of grace God gives each os us equip us for the building up of the Church- the Body of Christ- and it's minsitries.  Consider your gifts and how you can better use them in ministry to build up the Church.