“man-ifested” (rm 16:26)
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” —Luke 1:35
King David wanted to build a temple for God so the Lord could have a house on earth in which to dwell (2 Sm 7:2ff). God told King David that He never asked for a house on earth (2 Sm 7:7), and besides, no house or temple on earth could even contain Him (see 1 Kgs 8:27). The earth isn’t big enough to hold even the books which would have to be written about the Lord (Jn 21:25), so how much less could the world, or the universe (2 Chr 6:18), or any temple, contain the Lord Himself (2 Chr 2:5)!
How can it be then that the womb of a teenage girl could contain the “Son of God”? (Lk 1:35) After centuries of waiting, God finally found a suitable dwelling place in the temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s womb, “for nothing is impossible with God” (Lk 1:37).
We disciples of Jesus are Mary’s children (Jn 19:27). Baptized into God’s family, and as Mary’s children, we are also chosen as “a dwelling place for God in the Spirit” (Eph 2:22). Not only does He dwell within us in the Spirit, Jesus literally dwells within us when we receive Him into our bodies in the Eucharist (see Jn 6:56). Jesus then lives in us (Jn 17:23). In our bodies, which are temples of God (see 1 Cor 6:19), the life of Jesus is made manifest to us, and then through us to the world (2 Cor 4:10-11, RNAB). “How can this be?” (Lk 1:34) “Nothing is impossible with God” (Lk 1:37).
Prayer: Father, purify the temple of my life this Advent (Mt 21:12ff). May I be a worthy and pleasing dwelling place for You.
Promise: “My mouth shall proclaim Your faithfulness.” —Ps 89:2
Praise: “O Key of David, O Royal Power of Israel controlling at Your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead Your captive people into freedom.”
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period December 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027, by Presentation Ministries. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 3, 2026"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.