Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The closing prayer in today’s Liturgy of the Hours offers, “Father, you prepared the heart of the Virgin Mary to be a fitting home for your Holy Spirit. By her prayers, may we become a worthy temple of your glory.” There’s something to contemplate. Are we mindful that we are called to be temples where the Holy Spirit dwells? Are we mindful of the implications of living a life worthy of that indwelling? …. and a whole lot more packed into that short closing prayer.

I thought it might be helpful to provide some background on the symbolism/meaning of Scripture’s use of “temple” and “indwelling” of the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament, the message that believers are made to be temples of the Holy Spirit conveys profound symbolism and draws upon various Old Testament passages. This symbolism underscores the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians and emphasizes the call to live a truly Christian life. Here is a some (and by not means expansive) on the biblical foundations:

Old Testament Background

Temple of God: In the Old Testament, the temple was the dwelling place of God’s presence among His people. It was a sacred space where God’s glory resided (1 Kings 8:10-11). The temple symbolized the intimate connection between God and His people, as well as His desire to dwell in their midst (Exodus 25:8). (Note: one could go back further and include discussion of the Tabernacle described in Exodus and was the place of God’s presence among the people until the construction of the Jerusalem temple.)

Indwelling of the Spirit: The Old Testament also speaks of the Spirit of God coming upon individuals for specific tasks or missions. For example, the Spirit empowered leaders like Moses (Numbers 11:17) and the prophets (Ezekiel 2:2). However, this indwelling was temporary and selective, not experienced by all believers universally.

New Testament Development:

Jesus as the Temple: In the New Testament, Jesus proclaims Himself as the true temple of God (John 2:19-21). He fulfills the symbolism of the physical temple and becomes the ultimate dwelling place of God’s presence among humanity.

The Body as a Temple: Following Jesus’ teachings, the New Testament extends the symbolism of the temple to the bodies of believers. The apostle Paul, in particular, emphasizes this imagery. He teaches that the Holy Spirit now dwells in each individual believer, making their bodies temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Living Sacrifices: Paul further develops this idea in Romans 12:1, where he urges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This parallels the Old Testament concept of offering sacrifices in the temple as an act of worship and devotion. Now, believers are called to offer their whole lives in service to God.

Transformation and Holiness: The symbolism of believers as temples highlights the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Just as the physical temple was consecrated and set apart for God’s purposes, believers are called to live lives of holiness and sanctification (2 Corinthians 7:1). The presence of the Holy Spirit empowers them to grow in virtue and reflect the character of Christ.

Unity and Community: The temple imagery also emphasizes the communal aspect of the Christian life. In Ephesians 2:19-22, Paul describes believers as living stones being built together to form a dwelling place for God. This highlights the importance of unity, fellowship, and the interconnectedness of believers in the body of Christ.

The message of believers as temples of the Holy Spirit conveys the intimate relationship between God and His people, the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, the call to holiness, and the importance of community within the Christian life. It reminds us of our deepest identity and purpose, inviting us to yield to the Spirit’s work in our lives, cultivate holiness, and live in loving fellowship with one another.

…and all the above is just the highlights.