We are reminded today in Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians (3:16-17) of the inherent goodness and splendor of our bodies: “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.”

Oftentimes we forget how wonderfully and beautifully we are made by our Creator. Our bodies somehow reflect the very nature of God; we are, after all, each created in his image and likeness. St. Paul says that we are “Temples of the Holy Spirit,” that we, our bodies, are holy. We defile God’s temple when we sin against our body: when we over eat, drink too much alcohol, use illicit drugs, sexually objectify ourselves or others, or knowingly deprive ourselves of needed, reasonable care.

We are not empty shells of flesh and bone. Nor are we angels trapped inside until our earthly death. Persons are BOTH soul and body, and our Christian hope of eternal life is driven by a faith and belief that we will be resurrected in body and spirit to live forevermore in love and truth, that mystical reality we call Heaven. Let us be sure today, to commit, or recommit, to caring for our body in some simple, yet meaningful way. Let us be good stewards of the incredible gift God has given us in this life so that we may best prepare for the life hereafter. And let us recognize in others, that they too are temples of the Holy Spirit, and thereby give honor and respect to the beautiful physical creation of God in each person.

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