The Veil was Torn for You (2 Chronicles 3)

2 Chronicles 3:14 He made the veil of violet, purple, crimson, and fine linen, and had cherubim embroidered upon it.

In this chapter we read of the extensive work Solomon put into building and decorating the temple for the Lord. We read about the gold and the jewels, the craftsmanship, the cherubim, etc. And we also read about the veil that was a separation of the entrance to the holy of holies, where God’s presence entered. In the time of the Old Testament, only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place one time a year. So most of the rest of the Israelites, it was a hidden place. It was a mystery. They had to wait for God to draw near to them, which was blocked by so many laws and rules. God was a mystery.

We know from the gospel of Matthew, that Jesus’s sacrifice tore this veil. In 27:51, it says

‘And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom.’

Jesus took away the barrier separating man from the Most Holy Place when he gave himself up on the cross. Each Sunday, we get to be in the presence of the Lord at church. He is there, the Most Blessed Sacrament is in the beautiful tabernacle, the dwelling place, waiting for us. The torn veil that Matthew mentions is the broken body of Jesus, given up for our sins. It is through his sacrifice that we get to be in the presence of the Lord each week, and not be stuck on the outside as was the time before Jesus. It was torn for us. For me. For you. So that you would no longer be physically separated from him. We have the freedom to celebrate Mass each week, and yet so many of us take that freedom for granted.

The world is facing so many things pulling us away from God. Each week, we have the opportunity to renew our vows to Him, to help strengthen our armor against the lies of the devil. We need to make it a point to be there, trusting that God has a better plan than we can see. We will need to endure some hard times, but he will fix this mess around us. Go to church, enter in his presence. Allow him to fill your heart again and again. Know that his sacrifice was not in vain. Let his love surround you. You are his.