Letter from the Rector – July 10, 2026

Dear Good People of St. Paul’s,

After the exodus from Egypt, the people of God followed God through the physical manifestation of a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. In time, the people of God made a tabernacle in which God could dwell. Then, much later, King Solomon made a temple for the tabernacle.

The temple, literally, was the place God dwelt. God’s presence.

In this Sunday’s reading, St. Paul in his letter to the Romans gives a new place for God to dwell – inside followers of Jesus. St. Paul uses the same word as was used for God to dwell in the temple for the Spirit to now dwell inside the followers of Jesus.

This is huge. St. Paul is developing a theology of the Holy Spirit, helping us understand what it is the Holy Spirit does and how the Holy Spirit works.

The same God that once led God’s people through the desert now has taken up residence in you and in me. And it’s through this Spirit that we have what we need to live the life that God calls us to live in Christ Jesus, helping us live the life God calls us to live. We don’t always get it right, but the Spirit is there, cheering us on, reminding us of who we are all the time.

It’s heady stuff. And real stuff. And the stuff that can enact God’s dreams.

In the midst of whatever challenges you face in life, God dwells in you through the Spirit and gives you what you need to partner with God.

May you know you are loved today.

May you know the Spirit dwells in you.

May you go and live like it.

In Faith, Love, and Service,

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