Years ago I stood with pilgrims looking towards Jerusalem where the Jewish temple once stood. Today’s reading from the Book of Kings focuses on the temple King Solomon built.

David before him wanted to build a temple, but the Prophet Nathan told him God doesn’t need a fixed place to dwell in. ( 2 Samuel 7, 4-17) God dwells in a tent, ready to go wherever his people go. A beautiful reminder– God is with us at all times, wherever we are.

Yet, God dwells in certain holy places, like the temple Solomon built on the threshing floor in the upper city in Jerusalem, A dark cloud filled the Holy of Holies, so awesome the priests can’t remain in the place. “… The priests could no longer minister because of the cloud, since the LORD’s glory had filled the temple of the LORD.” (1 Kings 8,22-30)

“Can it indeed be that God dwells on earth? If the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain you, how much less this temple which I have built!” Solomon seeks God’s blessing for his people and himself there. “Listen to the petitions of your servant and of your people Israel which they offer in this place. Listen from your heavenly dwelling and grant pardon.”

A good reading to reflect on the presence of God in our lives. God promises to be with us in a presence always mysterious, beyond our understanding. He goes with us wherever we go. There are also holy places where God meets us– sacraments, signs, places he’s promised to be.

Jesus, the new temple of God, fulfills these Old Testament realities. He dwells among us, accompanying us on our journey of life in signs and sacraments. He will always be there. Yet his presence is also “a dark cloud,” the mystery of his death and resurrection. Awesome, mysterious, beyond our understanding.

Whenever we draw close and pray, he is there. Always there.