Why is the tabernacle so important?

Answer 1

In the Old Testament the 'TABERNACLE' was the portable dwelling place of the 'Divine Presence' (God). In Exodus it reads, "And let them make me a sanctuary; that I (God) may dwell among them." (Ex. 25:8) The 'TABERNACLE' was used while the Israelites traveled, but when they stopped traveling the 'TABERNACLE' eventually became a permanent building a 'Temple'.

This was a very sacred place wherein was the 'Holy of Holies' (inner sanctuary). Inside of the 'Holy of Holies' was the Ark of the Covenant where the tablets of the Ten Commandmentswere kept. The 'Holy of Holies' was lighted with a 6 branch and 1 trunk (7) candlestick called the 'Menorah'. The High Priest cleansed himself and dressed in priestly clothes to enter the chamber. One item worn by the High Priest was the breastplate of 12 jewels, which signified the 12 tribes of Israel.

An example of the presence of God or an angel in the 'Tabernacle/Temple' is in Luke, wherein it reads, "And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the Altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him." (Luke 1:8-12)

Answer 2

Leviticus 1:1 And the Lord called Moses, and spoke to him from the tabernacle. Tabernacle, tabernaculum in Latin, means tent. This is the tent that the Jews put the Ten Commandments and the Ark of the Covenant. This is where God dwelt in the midst of the His people. The Old Testament Tabernacle is mentioned in th KJV Bible in Exodus 16:34, 25:9; 26:1-36, 27:9, 19, 21; 28:43, 29:4, 10; 29:11, 30, 32, 42, 44; 30:16, 18, 20, 26, 36; 31:7, 33:7, 8, 9, 10, 11; 35:11, 15, 18, 21; 36:8, 13, 14, 19, 20, 22, 25, 27, 28, 31, 32, 37; 38:8, 15, 20, 21, 30, 31; 39:31, 32, 38, 40; 40:2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 26, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36 and many other places. At the Last Supper, Jesus said, "Take this bread. It is my body." Then he said, "Take this and drink. This is my blood. Do this in memory of me." Catholics believe this was the First Eucharist, which through some miracle the bread and wine actually became the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Catholics reenact the Last Supper during every Mass, where the priest, acting in place of Christ, changes the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ. This is a great sacrament of Thanksgiving and unity of Catholics. If any of the Body of Christ is not consumed, then it is safely stored in the tabernacle. After all of these years, still the place where God dwells in the midst of the His people. Catholics genuflect to the tabernacle before entering the pew at Mass and may even pray the Sign of the Cross while passing a church out of respect to the Real Presence of Christ that resides in the tabernacle.

Answer 3

In the Old Testament the 'TABERNACLE' was the portable dwelling place of the 'Divine Presence' (God). In Exodus it reads, "And let them make me a sanctuary; that I (God) may dwell among them." (Ex. 25:8) The 'TABERNACLE' was used while the Israelites traveled, but when they stopped traveling the 'TABERNACLE' eventually became a permanent building a 'Temple'.

This was a very sacred place wherein was the 'Holy of Holies' (inner sanctuary). Inside of the 'Holy of Holies' was the Ark of the Covenant where the tablets of the Ten Commandmentswere kept. The 'Holy of Holies' was lighted with a 6 branch and 1 trunk (7) candlestick called the 'Menorah'. The High Priest cleansed himself and dressed in priestly clothes to enter the chamber. One item worn by the High Priest was the breastplate of 12 jewels, which signified the 12 tribes of Israel.

An example of the presence of God or an angel in the 'Tabernacle/Temple' is in Luke, wherein it reads, "And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the Altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him." (Luke 1:8-12)

Answer 4

The Tabernacle is analogous to the Holy of Holies in the Old Testament. The Tabernacle holds or contains the Blessed Sacrament. The Blessed Sacrament is the bread that is consecrated at Mass which becomes the Body of Christ. This is reserved in the Tabernacle in order that people may pray before the Blessed Sacrament and also so that Holy Communion may be taken to the sick.

In some parishes the Tabernacle is found directly in the middle of the Church behind the altar. In others it is placed off to the side. Yet in others the Tabernacle may be found in it's own prayer space.

Answer 5

It is where the communion wafers, that were not used during the Mass, are stored. Sometimes they are taken to people who cannot get out to church.

Answer 6

As no one answered this question and now i know the answer. The tabernacle is important to Christians because it is the place which the consecrated Hosts (sometimes even wine) is kept.

Answer 7

It is seen as housing the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist which is stored there.