The Bible narrates a dream of Jacob in Genesis 28:10-16. This point in his life was one of its lowest. He had run away from home. Geographically, he was far from family and friends, having covered a three-day journey on foot towards an unfamiliar destination. He felt lost and abandoned psychologically because of his own greedy scheme. Previously, he had acquired the first-born right from his brother Esau. And through his craftiness, he was able to steal his father’s blessing. Now he was running for his life and cursed by his own brother. With no secure future, no money in his pocket, no bread in his bag and no roof above his head, he felt alone and totally wrecked.
As he sleeps on a pillow of stone, away from the comforts of home, God comes to him full of beautiful promises. God assures him: “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land.” Jacob awakens from his slumber reassured. He names the place Bethel, which means “house of God” in Hebrew. He strongly felt God’s presence in that place working in his life. In fact, Jacob will return rich and successful from Haran because God blest him beyond his imagination.
Much later when the descendants of Jacob becomes so numerous, God will make a covenant with them as a people. In their wanderings in the hostile desert of Sinai, He would make his presence felt. The Lord would be seen as a pillar of cloud by day to guide them and a pillar of fire by night to give them light. God would even direct a personal project of exquisite beauty that He wanted to build: the Ark of the Covenant. Tons of gold and silver went into this portable tabernacle that became His dwelling place among His people. Whenever the Israelites marched or camped, the Ark stayed at the center. It became a visible reminder of God’s central place in their life.
In the history of the chosen people, God revealed himself gradually to them in many ways. God’s presence caused such fear and awe that the Israelites begged Moses that God speak not to them directly. Despite the enormous distance between God and humanity, he allowed personal access. He allowed Moses to speak to him face-to-face.
And the wonder of it all, God became man in Jesus. Through this miracle of Christmas, God has broken into human history in a fantastic and unique way. His presence now is no longer symbolic but real. In Christ, God dwelt among us. St. John would exclaim, “The Word was made flesh.”
The events of His coming are even more awesome. Christians continue to believe of the virgin birth of Christ. To prepare the world for this Jesus-event in human history, God prepared a worthy womb untouched by stain in its pristine innocence. It was but right that Mary would be conceived immaculate from the moment of her conception in view of the merit of Jesus her future Son and Savior of the world. Indeed, Mary is called the “ark of the covenant” because her womb has been the place where the glory of God dwells. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “She is the indwelling of God with men” (CCC # 2676).
Yet every human heart can also be the dwelling place of God. I was reminded of this fact when I presided at the First Communion of students from St. Paul Learning Center. The children made their first confession to me to prepare their hearts to receive Jesus worthily in their hearts. Their school catechists made them understand this great moment of grace. When I saw the children return to their seats after taking holy communion, I could sense a great openness and reverence. As they prayed with joined hands and some with even closed eyes, I knew God was touching them. God made His dwelling in their hearts. God is once again accessible. Yes, He might have His residence in heaven, but He chooses to make a home in our hearts.