What the Tabernacle Teaches Us
Ceremonial Law, pt. 2
The second category St. Thomas brings forward are “holy things” or “sacred things.”
This refers generally to the instruments and places of worship, along with certain sacred times, “special times, a special abode, special vessels, and special ministers.” (ST.I-II.Q102.A4)
The reason for this has to do with a certain tendency on the part of men. It is natural for us to distinguish between that with is common and that which is special. We are brought to greater reverence for those things that are special than for those things which are common. We act with greater reverence towards special meals, special clothing, special days, etc. Now, one of the reasons for the law was to increase reverence in the hearts of men for God.
Hence, even in the civil sphere “it is customary among men for kings and princes, who ought to be reverenced by their subjects, to be clothed in more precious garments, and to possess vaster and more beautiful abodes.” (ibid.) The same should be also held for the realm of worship.
In Part 1, I will be treating the tabernacle and temple, and in Part 2, I will be treating the holy times (i.e., the feasts).
