Testament to the TabernacleDear Editor, In Paul Turner's BULLETIN INSERT on the tabernacle (ML 22:8), he says "it became necessary to create a place to store the Eucharist. The tabernacle was born," making it seem as if this notion just popped into someone's head. In the Old Testament, the ancient Jews had a tabernacle of their own as well as tables, altars, showbread, seven-branched candlestick, etc. They erected their tabernacle and separated the holy of holies as the place where the ark of the covenant rested — called the sanctuary. This is so familiar to what we do as Catholics, and it seems only natural that this idea of sacredness and reverence to holy things would be carried on by the early Christians. Turner leaves these bits of historical data out of his simplified explanation of the tabernacle. The idea of the tabernacle is ancient, ancient, ancient -- with much meaning, sacredness, and awe. It is only natural that the early Christians would be inspired by the Holy Spirit to continue these customs given us by the early Jews. He then mentions that the tabernacle became an object of adoration. People do not adore the tabernacle itself but the great miracle that lies within. The tabernacle IS worthy of the greatest respect, which Turner seems not to stress in his piece. Yes, it does reserve Jesus for the sick, but it also houses my eucharistic Lord. It just strikes a wrong cord in me to hear the tabernacle referred to as a medicine chest, heirloom, or refrigerator. We should have no trouble in deciding the importance and proper place for the tabernacle if we just believe, realize and understand what the Eucharist truly is. For all this confusion I fault the clergy in the church who keep the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist a big secret and don't stress this central belief of our faith more often from the pulpit. And what does the Holy Father say? "It is important that we live and teach how to live the total mystery of the Eucharist: the sacrament of the sacrifice, of the banquet and of the permanent presence of Jesus Christ the Savior." It is true that the reservation of the sacrament was made, from the beginning, in order to be able to take communion to the sick and to those absent from the celebration, but, as the CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH says, "for the deepening of the faith in the real presence of Christ in his Eucharist, the church became aware of the meaning of the silent adoration of the Lord present under the eucharistic species" (45th Eucharistic Congress, Seville, Spain). Turner failed to mention these important items in his column. Julie Burns |