Exodus Chapters 25 to 27 present a detailed Old Testament description of a tabernacle as sanctuary constructed as a place of worship, while Exodus chapters 35 to 40 illustrate an inner shrine (the most holy place) housing the ark and an outer chamber (holy place), with six-branch seven-lamp menorah (lampstand), table for the bread, and an altar of incense. In the Catholic Church, the tabernacle is a liturgical furnishing that houses the ciborium containing the Eucharist. BETTY AMUKPO engages Children on the meaning of Tabernacle. Excerpts.
‘The tabernacle is a dwelling place of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in form of bread and wine’
A tabernacle is a place of worship for some Christians. It is a place where the Ark of the Covenant is kept. (Exodus 10:1-3) it was called the covenant box, the tent of the Lord’s presence. (Joshua 3:3)”when you see the Priest carrying the covenant box of the Lord your God, break camp and follow them.” (Joshua 3:14- 15) As soon as the priest carrying the box Covenant stepped into the river Jordan, the water stopped flowing and piled up. It is a place where the Host (the body of Christ) is kept. (Luke1:38).I am the lord servant…Our Blessed Virgin Mary was the Tabernacle that harboured our Lord Jesus Christ. Her womb was his dwelling place for a period of nine months. (Luke22:19-20) the (Lord supper) the tabernacle becomes a dwelling place of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in form of bread and wine. It is always kept in a particular place in the sanctuary with the lights on, indicating the presence of Christ. Whenever you enter a Catholic Church and you look at the Sanctuary and see a light, it shows that Christ is present, and there should be maximum silence and you bow to adore the lord.
‘In Annunciation, Jesus dwelled in the Virgin Mary’s womb for nine months, which made her the new Tabernacle’
Tabernacle is a temporary dwelling place for God. E.g. Temple, Hurt, Tent and so on. In (Exodus 25:1v48) God ask the people of Israel to make a sacred tent for him so that he live among them. Tabernacle is divided into three parts and they are: 1) The outer court which symbolizes the body. 2) The Holy place which symbolizes the Soul. 3) The Holy of Holies which symbolizes the Spirit. Also in Exodus 30 to the end tells us about the rules of the tabernacle and if we apply it to ourselves we can reach the presence of God. It was what the Virgin Mary did by making herself Holy and that was why she became the New Tabernacle. In Annunciation (Luke 1:26- 38) Jesus dwelled in the Virgin Mary’s womb for nine months, which made her the New Tabernacle. Even in (Visitation) when Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, she was filled with The Holy Spirit that the child in her womb leapt for joy (Luke 1:39-56). We can be the New Tabernacle for God if we keep our body, Soul and Spirit clean from sin only then can God dwells in us.
‘The tabernacle is the place in the Church that holds the ciborium containing the Eucharist’
A tabernacle is a house of worship; especially a large building or tent used for evangelistic services. In the Catholic Church, the tabernacle is the place in the Church that holds the ciborium containing the Eucharist.
‘The Tabernacle also known as the Tent of the Congregation was the portable earthly dwelling place of Yahweh (the God of Israel)’
According to the Hebrew Bible, the Tabernacle (Hebrebre , mishkān, meaning “residence” or “dwelling place”), also known as the Tent of the Congregation also Tent of Meeting, etc.), was the portable earthly dwelling place of Yahweh (the God of Israel) used by the Israelites until the conquest of Canaan. Moses was instructed at Mount Sinai to construct and transport the tabernacle with the Israelites on their journey through the wilderness and their subsequent conquest of the Promised Land. After 440 years, Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem superseded it as the dwelling place of God.
‘The first tabernacle was built by Moses’
The term tabernacle comes from the Latin word “taberculum” or “taberna” which means abode or the house of God made by man. The first tabernacle was built by Moses and was where the holies of holies resided and animal blood sacrifices was offered. (Exodus 25-31, Heb. 9) In Heb. 9 Verse 11-12, the new tabernacle is created by God and not of this world. Also this tabernacle has been sealed by the perfect sacrifice Jesus Christ who by His shed blood has obtained eternal salvation for us all. In the Catholic Church, tabernacle is a place in the Church that holds the ciborium containing the Eucharist. This makes the tabernacle the heart and cornerstone of the Church and is the reference of our faith, prayer and worship. (Heb. 9 V 11-12)
‘The Tabernacle has three parts which symbolizes the three main parts of man, Body, Soul and Spirit’
Tabernacle in Hebrew is called Mishkan meaning”dwelling”. It was a portable sanctuary constructed by Moses as a place of worship for the Hebrews during their wandering days. Thus, a Tabernacle is a fixed locked box in which the Eucharist (Consecrated Communion Host) is “reserved or stored. A container for the same purpose which is set directly into a wall is called an ‘Aumbry’ The Tabernacle has three parts, and it symbolizes the three main parts of man and its functions.
– The Outer court symbolizes the body,
– The Holy place represents the soul and
– The Holy of Holies Symbolizes the Spirit.
‘Tabernacle in the Catholic Church is a special box which is located behind the Altar’
Tabernacle in the Catholic Church is a special box which is located behind the Altar. After Mass any consecrated bread which has not been used is placed inside it. Catholics believe that Christ is present in the bread and therefore it cannot be thrown away, so it is stored in the tabernacle to be used again. The tabernacle is the Heart and cornerstone of each Church. lt is the reference of those who come to pray and worship the Body of Christ even outside the celebration. To some, tabernacle can be sanctuary, house of God, tent etc.
‘It is the dwelling place of the Lord our God (Yahweh).’
A tabernacle is a portable sanctuary in use by the Israelites from the time of their wandering in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt to the building of the Temple in Jerusalem by Solomon. Also known as the dwelling place of the lord our God (Yahweh).
‘It’s a gold square box with the Eucharist in a Ciborium; it means house of God’
The word Tabernacle means the house of God. Tabernacles are found in Catholic Churches: 1. Because we Catholics believe God and Jesus Christ is always in the tabernacle. 2. It’s a gold square box where the Eucharist in a Ciborium is placed at a designated place in the Catholic Church with lights signifying the presence of God. 3. In the Old Testament it was the ark of covenant 4. A Place of prayer, worship and adoration.in silence with God.
