The Mercy Seat
In the book of Exodus the Lord says
He will meet the people in a place above the covenant he has given, this is the
Mercy Seat. Those
words describe the Ark of the Covenant.
Today we live under the new covenant in Jesus Christ. In the new
covenant, God has given us the place that is above the old covenant, a Mercy
Seat found in the real presence of Jesus Christ.
Jesus says: Martha, Martha, you are anxious and
worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the
better part and it will not be taken from her.”
Mary sat quietly at his feet, nurturing the presence of the
Lord being aware, focused, and enjoying Christ’s presence. The best thing is
what Mary had. The best thing is being in the Lord’s presence.
Martha was busy. Without the presence of Christ in our life, we tend to be
anxious and worried about things. What Martha was doing was important, but, the
presence of Christ Jesus is the better part.
Abraham welcomed three traveling strangers. Showing
hospitality, Abraham busies himself in welcoming them. Maybe, he gets too busy.
Soon, his busyness comes to an end and he realized there was something more to
these visitors. Abraham was in the presence of the Lord.
Saint Paul knew the mystery of Christ’s presence. He
writes, “It is Christ in you, the hope for glory.” He
called it the mystery of Christian life; the presence of Christ in us. The presence
of Christ in us is the seat of God’s mercy. Apostles and disciples have preached
this mystery to the world; yet, many people still do not know.
I saw two couples at lunch a while back. A young couple sat
at a table not saying a word, eyes and fingers glued to their cellphones. So focused
on their phones, if one left, the other might not notice.
What they were missing was at another table where an elderly
couple sat, each in their eighties. The wife appeared frail and was having
trouble with her food. Without a word, the husband reached to cut her food,
wipe her mouth, or help with her glass. They did not say a word, but, was totally
aware, focused, and enjoying each other’s presence. They nurtured with their
presence. Neither wanted the other to leave.
One of these couples knows God’s testimony. One lives
in Christ’s presence. One knows God’s mercy seat.
The Lord’s presence was not hidden from the other
couple, but they were unaware of anything but their anxious and worry of their busyness.
We fall short of the Mercy Seat by not being aware,
focused, and enjoying Christ’s presence in our lives. Christ’s presence is the testimony
of God. It is at the place that he meets us where we know right from wrong,
where the root of our conscious exists, and where love and justice begins. This
is where we go for the problems of the world because it is written “He who does justice
lives in the presence of the Lord.” (Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 5)
The young couple in the restaurant, Martha, and even the
busy Abraham are like most of us; too busy in the world and the world’s
expectations to be in the presence of the Lord.
Realize the Lord’s presence is with us and in us. Be
like Mary of Bethany totally focused on Christ. Be like Abraham and realize the
presence of God in your life.
The best thing in the world is to be in Christ’s
presence. Jesus told Martha, “There is need for only
one thing and Mary has chosen the better.” Mary chose the Mercy Seat.
I saw in that older couple in the restaurant, the
presence of Christ. It was His presence in their relationship. It was His
presence in their witness to the world. Surely, Christ has used them to change
hearts of many.
How do I know? I saw them invite His presence. Their shaking
hands joined in prayer, they asked God’s blessing over their food, each other,
and thanked God for His mercy.
Bring Christ to your family and others. Be a witness of
Christ’s presence to our community and the world. Open your hearts to his
presence. Welcome Christ’s presence and give him all that you are.
The world has problems. In the past couple of weeks we
have seen violence, hate, and injustice. So many are busy, anxious, and worried
looking out there to solve the problem.
Instead, be quiet. Sit at the feet of Jesus and focus
on Christ’s presence in our lives and in us. It brings us to a place more than
the commandments. It brings us to a place more than what the world says is
right or wrong. Christ presence is in that place God put in us. Realize Christ
is the seat of God’s mercy.
Be quiet; enjoy the presence of the Lord in your life.
Choose the better part. Nurture Christ’s presence. It will change the way we
are and that can change the world.
My hope is we all meet the Lord at his Mercy Seat, the
real presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and in our lives. That’s
the better part, that’s where the Lord wants us to be.
As always, I pray: Y’all be good, y’all be holy,
preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen
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