Do You Not Know You Are the Temple of God?

Do You Not Know You Are the Temple of God?

November 9, 2012

Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

By Melanie Rigney

(The angel said,) “Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh.” (Ezekiel 47:9)

Come! Behold the deeds of the Lord, the astounding things he has wrought on earth. (Psalms 46:9)

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.  (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

Jesus … said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his Body. (John 2:19-21)

Piety

Lord, help me to honor this temple the way You desire. Show me how to use my hands and feet to carry Your name. Show me how to use my heart to love all in Your name. Show me how to use my tongue to praise Your name.

Study

And how does the Lord do those astounding things on earth? Sometimes, through miracles and signs. More often, through people just like us. Through a smile that gives someone undergoing chemotherapy the encouragement to hang on through one more session. Through an encouraging, loving note that gives someone struggling with addiction to make it through one more minute or hour or day clean and sober. Through some small gesture of kindness, such as a luncheon date or holding a door open that reminds someone who feels unloved and unlovable that maybe the world isn’t quite as cold as it seemed five minutes ago.

We grieve God when we abuse the gifts He has given us, when we misuse our bodies and brains to dishonor Him and to injure others or ourselves. Fortunately, when we recognize our error and come to Him with a contrite heart, He is always willing to work with us on a temple rehabilitation project.

Action

Where is the Spirit of God flickering in you, rather than producing a rousing fire for all to see? Pray for the Lord’s strength in stoking the flame.