You Are God's Temple

A Reflection on the Second Reading for February 19th, 2023:
​Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

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1 Corinthians
3. 16 -23

Brothers and sisters: Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

So let no one boast about human beings. For all things are yours — whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or the present or the future — all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

Last month, I watched No Greater Love, which is a documentary made by the Knights of Columbus on the life and influence of Mother Teresa. I am still reeling from the impact this short film has had on me. When I was growing up in India, Mother Teresa was a holy woman whose funeral I remember watching on television when I was twelve years old. Having a saint in my backyard (well, not literally, as I’m from Mumbai, and Mother Teresa carried out her ministry in Kolkata), I think I took this saintly Catholic woman for granted. Having learnt a little more about her through this movie, I can vouch that Mother Teresa truly believed that “the Spirit of God” dwelt in each person she took care of and ministered to.

Through the course of my faith journey, I’ve come to appreciate the belief that Jesus resides in every human being. However, is this just a belief or is this a fact for me? Do I treat every other individual like a living Christ? 

At times, I tend to speak harshly to a student in the name of discipline. At such moments, do I remember that the individual whom I am reprimanding is a creation of Christ? Could I be more loving in the way I try to correct my students? 

As someone who values punctuality, I know that there are times I get impatient with friends or acquaintances who are serial latecomers. Can I view them and their circumstances with a little more grace?

While walking down Spring Garden Road in Halifax, there have been times when I have turned my head while walking past Tim Hortons to avoid eye contact with the homeless person standing outside who is asking for a coffee or a loonie. At such times, am I perceiving this human brother or sister as though they belong to Christ?

I know I am not a saint like Mother Teresa, but can I not aim to be more saintlike with the people I encounter on a daily basis, at least? As the season of Lent approaches, I am going to try and keep in mind that, although I may not be called to go on a mission to another country, I can definitely bring comfort and healing to those around me through my thoughts, words, and actions. 

Heavenly Father, help me to see every person who comes in front of me as God’s temple, and help me to reach out to them to make their life a little better by means of a kind word or a gentle smile. Help me to be your hands and your feet. I ask this in the name of your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.




Rebecca Dmello

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