By Fr Tomi Alexander, St Mary’s Church
St Paul says something pretty amazing in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20: “Your bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit.” When you really think about it, that’s huge. A temple isn’t special because it’s big or beautiful — it’s special because God lives there. And Paul is telling us that God chooses to live in you. That means you’re not just another person in the world. You’re not random or accidental. You are God’s home, and that gives your life incredible value.
Jesus says in the Gospel of John, “I am in the Father, and the Father is in me.” He’s showing us the kind of closeness God wants with us too. The Holy Spirit isn’t far away or unreachable. He wants to live in your heart — right where your thoughts, dreams, worries, and hopes are. And when the Holy Spirit lives in you, He brings His own gifts: peace when life feels overwhelming, love when people are hard to deal with, joy even on difficult days, and strength when you feel tired or discouraged. Holiness doesn’t come from trying to be perfect — it comes from letting the Spirit work inside you.
The truth is simple: you become what you keep in your heart. If you hold onto anger, you become angry. If you hold onto fear, you become anxious. But if you welcome the Holy Spirit, you slowly become more like Jesus — patient, kind, peaceful, and strong. Being a “temple” doesn’t mean you never make mistakes. It means you stay open to God, letting Him shape you, guide you, and lift you up again when you fall.
When the Holy Spirit fills your heart, people around you notice. Your kindness stands out. Your peace calms others. Your joy spreads. Your love makes a difference. Without even trying, you become a reminder of God’s presence in the world. You carry His light into your school, your friendships, your family, and every place you go.
So today, remember this: You are a temple. You are chosen. You are loved. And God lives in you. Let the Holy Spirit make your life beautiful from the inside out.
