Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Monday of the fifth week in ordinary time, February 9th, 2026

Delivered by Jessica Tjiuranda from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. 1 Kings 8: 1-7.9-13; Rs psalm 132: 6-7.8-10; Mark 6: 53-56.ROOM FOR GOD The title for ourmeditation today is: Room for God. Room intended here is not a place orlocation. Because in principle, God cannot be conditioned into a place or room.Instead, God is in the space that surrounds and embraces us. That spacesignifies a presence and an existence. God provides the space and He himself ispresent there. King Solomon andGod's people put the ark of the covenant in the dwelling place builtspecifically for the Lord, but the king cried out in prayer that God woulddwell on earth forever with His people. He accompanies, meets, reaches, andassociates with everyone in all places as Jesus Christ does. Space for God isthe entire surface of the earth, where all humans dwell. The room for God ofthe farthest distance is the cities and villages, whatever the distance, whichshow people flocking to meet Jesus for healing and comfort. We can call this anopen public space with distance even tens and hundreds kilometer. Jesus reached a placeand people knew Him and they immediately approached to greet and talk, sayhello or introduce themselves. This we call as Jesus' social space. Surelypeople cheered because they could look closely at Jesus, waved their hands, andtheir voices could be heard by Jesus. Some of them had an extraordinary joy andenlightment because of the encounter. Those who were sickeven reached the personal space and the intimate space of Jesus throughtouching the Lord's hands or they themselves touched Jesus's clothes. HereJesus teaches that the power of touch is very important for strengthening andhealing for their needs and illness. In touching relationship there is nolonger visible distance, but love that expresses itself. It is our body'sspaces that allow contact and share of energy from one person to another. Theenergy of Jesus enters the sick and they get well. This is a very significantlesson, namely body space, personal space and even our social and publicspaces, that are very instrumental for contact with others. The demand for ourcloseness and presence is very important, because we can share the space ofourselves and this is always a sign of reinforcement and renewal of life. Thisis the way we present room for God to work through us. Let's pray. In the name of the Father... Lord Jesus, teach us always to use all our bodies and our existence toshare Your love. Hail Mary, full of grace ... In the name of the Father ...