Dwelling in the Tent

..we have asked the Lord who will dwell in his tent…(Prologue 39-44)


God wishes to dwell in the midst of his people. He does not wish just to communicate with his people periodically in speech, vision or dream, but wishes to abide with them every hour of the day. He gave instructions to Moses to build a tent where He could speak to Moses face to face, and where the people could see Him in a pillar of cloud, a pillar of fire. In and from the tent, God spoke to his people; he showed his holiness; he poured out his spirit to his people.


Benedict uses this tent image to show us that in the monastery we will be meeting this God face to face, He will abide with us day after day; He will show us his holiness; He will pour out his spirit upon us; it is He who will accompany us on this journey and provide the grace we need to persevere.


Will you dwell in the tent?


Sr. Veronica, OSB