God has always been present to His Church in a way different from His presence elsewhere. The Church of the Old Testament already enjoyed a prototype, show of the Eucharistic Presence. The ancient sanctuary contained two items of particular significance: the lamp stand and the bread of presence. Saint John applies both to Christ, the Light of the World - John 8:12 - and the Bread of Life - John 6 -

Saint Paul epistle to the Hebrews 9:2 - records that "there was an outer tabernacle which contained the lamp stand and the table and the loaves set before God; sanctuary was the name given to this." The so-called table of the show bread was important not so much for the table itself as for the bread placed upon it. It was the bread of presence, literally "bread of the face." It was to this bread of presence that Christ referred to Matthew 12:4 as "the loaves set out there before the Lord." The bread was meant as a memorial placed continually in God's presence.

The bread is to be a token sacrifice to the Lord. - Lev. 24:7 -

Each Saturday a fresh supply of bread was substituted for the old loaves, twelve in number, one for each of the twelve tribes. All were thus represented, little Benjamin no less than royal Judah, Dan as well as the priestly Levi, and just as much for one tribe as for another. No part of God's family was forgotten. Each was fully represented, and they were always before Him.

The table is to hold the loaves of bread which are to be set out continually in My Presence. - Ex. 25:30 -

The bread of the Old Testament was thus the presence of the people before the Lord, but the Bread of the New Testament is the Presence of the Lord before the people. In the Old Testament there was never a moment when they were out of His sight. Bread was a continuous reminder to Him of His covenant relation to them and of His promises to them of a Savior and Redeemer. As the twelve tribes were made one in His presence, so also His ecclesia, His Church, by "the one bread is made one body, though we are many in number; the same bread is shared by all." - 1Cor. 10:17 -

The bread of presence was before His face; that is why it was called the continual bread: "keep hallowed loaves set forth continually" - 2Chron. 2:4 - "the bread set forth there as always." - Num. 4:7 -

The bread was to be made of the finest flour, and, upon each row, incense was placed to indicate that the offering was a sacrifice to the Lord.

Put grains of fine incense upon them; the bread is to be a token sacrifice to the Lord. - Lev. 24:7 -

Thus was prefigured the union of the sacrament and sacrifice under the New Law.

Even a "sanctuary lamp" was provided - not that the bread was the substance of the Body and Blood of Christ, but only a shadow, an anticipation.

Never must the altar be empty of this perpetual fire. - Lev. 6:13 -

From that day to this, a lamp announces the Presence.

For the Christian who lives in the realm of grace, the demands of the holiness of God are not less demanding that they were for the Jew under the Old Testament. If those who rebelled in the desert did not escape judgment, much less shall we who are privileged to live in the fullness of revelation.

Beware of excusing yourselves from listening to Him who is speaking to you. There was no escape for those others, who tried to excuse themselves when God uttered His warnings on earth; still less for us, if we turn away when He speaks from heaven. - Heb. 12:25 -

The Old Testament contains seven instances of sudden judgment in connection with the tabernacle or the temple, its liturgy, its worship or its vessels. Three of them had to do with the offering of incense, three with the ark, and one with the candle stick.

Probably the first to die in the desert were Aaron's two sons who had just been ordained priests. God had sent down fire from heaven upon the altar of sacrifice and directed that it be always kept burning, like a sanctuary lamp before a tabernacle. - Lev. 9:23-24 - What their sin was is uncertain - it may have been drinking alcohol in forbidden circumstances - Lev. 10:9 - but in any case, they offered a "strange fire." They may have lighted a fire themselves instead of taking it from the altar, and they may also have mixed a strange incense which was expressly forbidden - Ex. 30:9-10 - "whereupon the Lord sent down fire which devoured them and they died there in the Lord's presence." - Lev. 10:2 -

To approach the tabernacle with the spirit of the world in our soul instead of the Spirit of Christ is to offer foreign fire. But whatever the sin of those Old Testament priests was, we are bidden to "worship God as He would have us worship Him, in awe and reverence; no doubt of it, our God is a consuming fire." - Heb. 12:28-29 -

The ark fell into the hands of the Philistines - 1Kings 4; 1Sam. 4 - because the Jews had used it as a magical charm to protect them in time of war. The Philistines put it in the temple of Dagon, and the statue of the god fell prostrate before the ark, as those who came to arrest Our Blessed Lord fell down at the mention of His name. - John 18:6 -

When the Philistines refused to acknowledge the power of God, great numbers of them died with the plague. - 1Kings 5:6; 1Sam. 5:6 - As the ark was a source of blessings to those who reverenced it, it was similarly a source of affliction to those who refused to recognize the power of God, Who dwelt symbolically in it. The same is true of Christ.

We are Christ's incense offered to God, making manifest both those who are achieving salvation and those who are on the road to ruin; as a deadly fume where it finds death, as a life-giving perfume where it finds life. Who can prove himself worthy of such a calling? - 2Cor. 2:15-16 -

Everywhere the ark went while it was in the hands of the Philistines, there went the punishment of God:

No city was free from the fear of death, and God's heavy visitation; even those who survived had shameful sores to tend, and everywhere cries of anguish went up to heaven. - 1Kings 5:12; 1Sam. 5:11-12 -

Though we see no such manifestations of this power when the Eucharist is profaned, may it not be that God is reserving His judgment for those who approach it without faith? Men may plead that they have eaten in His Presence and done wonderful works in His name and cried, "Lord, Lord" but He will say that He knows not such workers of iniquity. - Matt. 7:21-23; Luke 12:25-27 -

The Philistines finally became penitent, returned the Ark, and offered tokens of reparation for their sins; but how much more mercy they would have obtained if they had acknowledged God's presence not in terror, but in appeal to His mercy!

If God punished the Philistines so harshly for keeping the ark, which was only a promise and prototype of the Eucharist, then what reverence should the Eucharist itself not awaken in those who have the reality and the substance! How terrible a thing it is to fall into the hands of the living God! - Heb. 10:31 - How feeble Nebuchadnezzar seemed when he fed on grass! - Dan. 4:30 - What a contemptible "god" did Herod appear when worms were devouring his vitals! - Acts 12:21-23 - How Belshazzar trembled with fear, his knees shaking at the sight of the handwriting on the wall! - Dan, 5:6 - How Felix fled from enlightenment when Paul reasoned with him about righteousness and judgment! - Acts 24:25 - Persons who are filled with slavish fear seek to banish what causes them terror rather than part with the sin that alone makes God an object of dread. But to us has been given the power to call down the Lord on our altars! Our greater privileges should make us tremble at knowing how God punished those with fewer talents and less light.

Another Old Testament incident that helps the bishop and priest to see how much reverence God demands for His Sacrament is seen in the punishment that was given to the people of Bethshemesh. They were happy to receive the ark back from the Philistines, but they failed to show respect. Rather, manifesting an unlawful curiosity, they looked into it and were smitten by God. - 1Kings 6:19; 1Sam. 6:19 -

Such was the Lord's displeasure when any irreverence was shown to the ark. The law was clear as to who might touch the ark and how it should be carried. It was not proper to put it in a wagon, as had been done, nor was it to be touched by anyone except the priest:

Then when Aaron and his sons have wrapped up the sanctuary and all its appurtenances ready for the march, the sons of Caath (Kohath) will enter and carry them away in their wrappings; they are not to touch the things of the sanctuary, on pain of death. - Num. 4:15 -

The ark should have been carried by two stave, held by priests. Uzzah was not a priest and was accordingly not authorized to touch the holy thing. This violation of God's command may have been the fruit of a habitual irreverence induced by long familiarity with the ark. God's action showed that no service was acceptable to Him unless regulated by strict adherence to His revealed Will. The utmost reverence was demanded of all who approached Him. - Lev. 10:3 -

How strictly the Lord enjoins His priests:

Keep yourselves unsullied, you that have the vessels of the Lord's worship in your charge. - Isaiah 52:11 -

The privilege of belonging to the Mystical Body of Christ implies both tremendous privileges and equally tremendous responsibilities.

Nation is none I have claimed for My own, save you; and guilt of yours is none that shall go unpunished. - Amos 3:2 -

Such are the judgments falling upon men in connection with the tabernacle, its worship, its holy vessels or its priesthood. When all these are taken together, one trembles at the reverence God demands for the things that are His and the punishment He metes out sometimes for the least infraction of what is dedicated to His service. The altar at which the priest stands is holy.

If the angels tremble, shall we not quake? But the Presence must not kindle a fear born of sin or impiety, but a holy fear begotten of love for One Who dwells among us.

BY ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN  ( 1895 to 1979 )

                                                                     Page 3
If you wish to donate. Thank You. God bless.

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -