Reflection text
Encampments and journeys
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
(…) The Tabernacle is finally complete. (…) Moses assembles the beams and hangings, and puts the furniture and vessels in place. There is an unmistakable parallelism between the words the Torah uses to describe Moses’ completion of the work and those it uses of God on the seventh day of Creation:
Genesis : And God finished [vayechal] on the seventh day, the work [melachto] which He had done.
Exodus : And Moses finished [vayechal] the work [hamelachah].
The next verse states the result:
Then the Cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. (Ex 40,34)
The meaning is both clear and revolutionary. The creation of the Sanctuary by the Israelites is intended to represent a human parallel to the Divine creation of the universe. In making the world, God created a home for humankind. In making the Tabernacle, humankind created a home for God.
From a human perspective, God fills the space we make for His presence. His glory exists where we renounce ours. (…) The specific domain called “the holy” is where we meet God on His terms, not ours. Yet this too is God’s way of conferring dignity on humankind. It is we who build His home so that He may fill what we have made. (…) Thus the entire narrative of Genesis-Exodus is a single vast span that begins and ends with the concept of God-filled space (…)..
Suggested reading
Shema Yisrael: Deuteronomy 6:4-9
The call of Abram: Gen 12:1-4
I am the one who is: Ex 3:13-15
Blessing: Num 6:22-2
Ancient Confession of Faith: Deut 26:5-9
The First Commandment: Mk 12:28-34
The Faith of Abraham: Heb 11:8- 12The inheritance of the people of Israel: Rom 9:15
For instance : Nombres 6,22-27 :
The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
“‘“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
“So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
Intercessions
R. Amen, amen, blessed be the God of Israel!
1. Most loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
you who wept for the violence between Cain and Abel,
we pray for peace in the Middle East,
We pray for all the peoples who inhabit this land
where you have chosen to join us in our humanity.
2. Most loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
you who made possible the reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers,
for any contempt for your people Israel, forgive us.
(As a sign of penance, we remain in silence for a few moments.)
We pray to you, Father, to make fraternity grow
between the Jewish people and the nations.
3. Most loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
you who brought Israel out of Egypt and set them free,
Give your joy to the Jewish people
and keep them faithful to your Covenant.
4. Most loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
you who united the twelve tribes of Israel around the Torah,
give peace to the Jews who believe in Jesus.
5. Most loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
you who sent your Son Jesus to save us,
make your blessing rest
on Christians who are of Jewish origin.
6. Most loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
Father of Jesus Christ,
you who gave your beloved Son so that all might be one,
gather all the Christian Churches in unity..
7. Most loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
you who promised the Jewish people the coming of the Messiah,
you who promised the Church the return of your son.
We praise you and we say in the Holy Spirit: „Maranatha, come, Lord!”
Prayer
Eternal and almighty God,
listen to the prayer of your Church.
You who chose Abraham and his descendants
to make them the children of your promise,
Lead to the fullness of redemption
the first people of the Covenant.
Let the nations of the earth
be welcomed by grace into the family of Abraham,
and may all of creation joyfully enter into your reign of peace.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen