ππΎππΎππΎ #Mekurab: A Reflection on the Third Week of the Great Lent
In the heart of the Great Lent, there comes a week known by the faithful as Mekurab, translating from the ancient tongue as "Synagogue." This designation, while simple in its utterance, carries the weight of centuries, embodying the sacredness of worship and the solemnity of divine communion. It is within this week that the faithful are invited to journey deeper into the mystery of the Incarnation, where Christ Himself, the Word made flesh, enters into the synagogue, not merely as a participant, but as the very fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.
The Synagogue, historically, stood as the gathering place of the faithful, where the Torah was read and God was worshipped in the beauty of holiness. It was in such a setting that our Lord often found Himself, teaching and revealing the depths of Godβs love and commandments. The incident that marks the Mekurab week, as recalled in the sacred narrative, unfolds in the temple, where Christ, with righteous indignation, expels the merchants and money changers, proclaiming, "My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves." This act of purification is not merely an external cleansing of the physical space but an invitation to each soul to cleanse the temple of their own heart, making it a fitting abode for the Divine.
The Church, in her wisdom, has named the weeks of Lent, each carrying a profound spiritual theme that draws the faithful deeper into the mystery of Christβs Passion and Resurrection. Mekurab, or Synagogue week, thus becomes a focal point where the faithful are called to reflect on the sanctity of Godβs house, both the historical temple and the temple of their own hearts, and to recommit themselves to making it a place of true worship, prayer, and divine encounter.
The liturgical life of this week is rich with scriptural readings and hymns that echo the themes of worship, divine zeal, and the call to righteous living. This Sunday's song from Tsome Digua "α¦α α’α¨α±α΅ αα©α«α α ααα΅ αααα¨ αα ααααα΅..." invites the faithful to contemplate the Lord's teaching in the synagogue, His preference for mercy over sacrifice, and His lordship over the Sabbath. This encapsulates the essence of the Mekurab week, inviting a meditation on how Christ fulfills and transcends the Law, embodying the true Sabbath rest for the souls of the faithful.
Saint Paulβs message to the Colossians, as read in this week, warns against being judged by external observances, reminding the faithful that the substance belongs to Christ. This calls for a deeper understanding that true worship transcends mere ritualistic compliance and finds its essence in the person of Christ. Similarly, the readings from the Epistle of James challenge the faithful to embody their faith through works of mercy and righteousness, reflecting the living faith that justifies.
The liturgical readings culminate in the Gospel narrative of Christ cleansing the temple, a powerful image of divine zeal and the call to purity. The faithful are reminded that the temple, Christ's Body, destroyed and raised up in three days, is the ultimate sign of God's presence and action among His people. Thus, the Mekurab week, through its liturgical and scriptural dimensions, invites the faithful to a profound encounter with Christ, the true Temple, where they are called to become living stones, built up into a spiritual house, offering spiritual sacrifices.
In this holy week of Mekurab, let the faithful be drawn into the heart of worship, where heaven and earth meet in the person of Christ. Let them cleanse the temples of their hearts, making room for the indwelling of the Spirit, and let their lives reflect the beauty of divine worship, not confined to the walls of any synagogue or temple but carried within the temple of the heart, sanctified by the presence of Christ, our Passover Lamb, who invites us all into the eternal Sabbath of His love and peace.
Continues ππΎ