Let all men speak of his majesty, and sing his praises in Jerusalem." O Jerusalem, holy city, he scourged you for the works of your hands, but will again pity the children of the righteous. Praise the Lord for his goodness, and bless the King of the ages, so that his tent may be rebuilt in you with joy. May he gladden within you all who were captives; all who were ravaged may he cherish within you for all generations to come. (Tobit 13:8-10)

The holy city has been destroyed. Its people exiled. The ark of covenant has been captured. God has left the temple.

We have been separated from God. We stand alone before a suffering world and tremble.

Tobit tells us this sense of separation is but an illusion or a choice. We are trapped in a fog of confusion or in the vice of our own pride, and perhaps a bit of both.

Even Jesus cried, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me."

This separation - pained by the loneliness - is often what causes us to look about and look within to recognize the reality of our current condition.

In a spiritual desert, alone, and afraid may be precisely when we encounter God and rebuild the tent of God's presense within us.

A tent is much better than a temple, more flexible, portable, and intimate.

For more on the Tent of the Presence see Exodus 35 and 36.