What does it mean that Christ dwells within us?

[Praedicare]

Friends,

When we are baptized, we become a temple of the Holy Spirit, a tabernacle, a house for God, and a dwelling place for Christ. We carry Christ in our heart, soul, and spirit. What does this mean? Why is it put in this way? Who is it that dwells within me: both myself and Christ?

Having been an adult when I was baptized, I know that I feel the same after baptism and before baptism. There was no sensible descent of a spirit or force or life inside me. It certainly was not physical. I do not understand how it would or should have changed me, as my personality and character seem to be the same. I have always been a lonesome person, and I feel just as lonely now as ever. I sense myself to simply be “Me”, separate from any other persons or beings. I do not understand the meaning of God living within me, since He is external and “other” than myself.

What have the saints, spiritual writers, or theologians said about the way in which God “dwells” and “lives” in us? Are there famous works that go into this? I don’t mean the “Ascent to Mount Carmel” or the “Interior Castle”, but more basic things.

Thank you…

 

[mikeghiorso]

I personally like The Holy Longing ] by Ronald Rolheiser. He speaks of that part of us that longs to be filled … a hunger that can only be answered (filled) by God.

 

[Emily2014]

I thought it meant our Souls, which are God within us from the moment of our creation.

 

[Praedicare]

I personally like The Holy Longing ] by Ronald Rolheiser. He speaks of that part of us that longs to be filled … a hunger that can only be answered (filled) by God.

That is indeed the universal human desire.

I thought it meant our Souls, which are God within us from the moment of our creation.

Our souls are not God… but I don’t think that is what you are saying.

Anyway, if God is within us from the moment of our creation, we’re already united to Him perfectly,so what would be the point of Baptism? Is it just the remission of sins, and nothing more? No, that does not seem to be what the Church teaches about our creation.

I think this subject confuses me because God must be “with us” in some way, or else we wouldn’t exist… yet, we need God “within” us as well?

 

[ready]

So long as we are in a state of grace, the Blessed Trinity dwells within us, moving us, assisting us, quickening us, enlightening us, etc… When we fall from grace – and even should we go to hell, God forbid – God will still sustain us with his presence, but not with the same presence that we have of the Blessed Trinity when our souls are in a state of grace filled with grace and charity. We only have the Blessed Trinity within us when we are in a state of grace, but we always have God within us, sustaining us whether we are living here on earth, up in heaven, or down in hell. God bless you.

 

[oldgraymare2]

Hi Praedicare,

I am posting a link here for you that explains Catholic Baptism in more detail for you. Hopefully it will be helpful to you.

The explanation is a bit long, but it goes into thorough detail.

Here is the link:

catholicdoors.com/courses/baptism.htm

Basically when we are baptized, we become “new” persons. Our original sin (from Adam and Eve) and personal sins are wiped away clean, and we receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Cor 3:16

But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.g But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you. Romans 8:9-11

So, when we pray we must keep in mind that we are in the presence of God, who dwells within.

Jim

 

[detoutcoeur]

Fr. John Hardon, S.J., on the Divine Indwelling:

The Church commonly teaches distinguishing between God’s presence and his indwelling. The indwelling, unlike the omnipresence, is not natural but super- -beyond natural. The indwelling is not universal but particular, very particular. The indwelling is not merely the presence of God in the world but it is the special way in which the Holy Trinity dwells in the souls of those who are in sanctifying grace.
We see immediately how selective the indwelling is in contrast with the omnipresence. God is present naturally in the mountains, stars, seas. God is also naturally present in all human beings; but unless those people are in the state of God’s grace, God is dwelling in them, indeed, by his power, his knowledge and his being, as we saw, but he is not present in their human wills in the way we are now reflecting and hopefully we will better understand.

Continued at: therealpresence.org/archives/God/God_031.htm

Essentials of the Catholic Faith:** http://www.therealpresence.org/essentials/acc.htm
**
Explore the whole website–it’s a treasure!

therealpresence.org

 

[ready]

Fr. John Hardon, S.J., on the Divine Indwelling:

The Church commonly teaches distinguishing between God’s presence and his indwelling. The indwelling, unlike the omnipresence, is not natural but super- -beyond natural. The indwelling is not universal but particular, very particular. The indwelling is not merely the presence of God in the world but it is the special way in which the Holy Trinity dwells in the souls of those who are in sanctifying grace.
We see immediately how selective the indwelling is in contrast with the omnipresence. God is present naturally in the mountains, stars, seas. God is also naturally present in all human beings; but unless those people are in the state of God’s grace, God is dwelling in them, indeed, by his power, his knowledge and his being, as we saw, but he is not present in their human wills in the way we are now reflecting and hopefully we will better understand.

Continued at: therealpresence.org/archives/God/God_031.htm

Essentials of the Catholic Faith: http://www.therealpresence.org/essentials/acc.htm

Explore the whole website–it’s a treasure!

therealpresence.org

Yes, there exists the *substantial presence of God *which sustains each and every one of us whether we are in a state of grace or not, and there exists *the indwelling of the Holy Ghost *which is found only in those of us who are in a state of grace. God bless you.

 

[fred_conty]

Christ himself once said, “Destroy this temple and I will rebuild it in three days.” He was of course referring to his death which would mean the separation of his human body from his human soul.

But why would he call it a temple, his body. Because his human soul was in the state of grace, or had the special presence of the HOly Spirit thru grace, just as we have. A temple means a place where God resides.

And since our soul is a place where God resides thu grace, which is the life of God, then we too are temples of God. This gives rise to the teachings of keeping the body holy as it is a place of God.

It also means keeping the senses of the body holy so that nothing unworthy is allowed to remove the holiness of this temple. For nothing unholy should be allowed in our temple.

As Paul said, “I no longer live but Christ lives in me.” For where the Holy Spirit is, there is also the Father and the Son because there is but one God.

And so he says, “Abba, Father”. For he recognizes that thru Christ living in him now gives him the right to call God his Father, though this thought seems overwhelming to him. And Jesus as well, teaches us that we are God’s sons by giving us the prayer, “Our Father”.

So by the divine indwelling we are able to be intimate with him in prayer, thru the day, since he resides living within us. And so it is good to go into this temple frequently during the day and give him our thoughts, “I love you Jesus, I bless you Jesus, I adore you most profundly, and I give you my faith.” And at other times, quietly rest for a few moments in his embrace and presence as Mary did, the sister of Martha.

May Jesus Christ be praised now and always.

 

[nuntym]

+JMJ+

Practically, it means we work out what Jesus works in us.

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13

The problem is, many live with having Jesus imprisoned in their hearts, not letting Him out.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

Indeed, I see more everyday in my life that Christ does not knock from outside my heart to get in, but knocks from inside the innermost closet of my heart to get out.

“For lo, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:21

 

[fred_conty]

+JMJ+

Practically, it means we work out what Jesus works in us.

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13

The problem is, many live with having Jesus imprisoned in their hearts, not letting Him out.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

Indeed, I see more everyday in my life that Christ does not knock from outside my heart to get in, but knocks from inside the innermost closet of my heart to get out.

“For lo, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:21

That is an important point, to let him within us show himself in our active life.

But on the other hand we can’t give what we don’t have. And if we appreciate who is within us and working thru us, then the active life of Jesus will show thru. As a matter of fact, it can’t help but show thru.

And if we have him within us and he doesn’t show thru, then it is because we do not frequent him there and are not aware of his presence and union with him. And he working thru us makes what we do fruitful.

It is important to know what sin is and what we are doing that is displeasing to Jesus. But it is really important to be aware of the love that placed him there in our heart and soul. For the love we bear for him will bring us to recognize him in others and to want to love him there also.

May God bless and keep you. May God’s face shine on you. May God be kind to you and give you peace.