Am I aware that I am the living Temple of the Holy Spirit?
"The Indwelling Spirit"
Stained glass representation of the Holy Spirit as a dove from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, circa 1660, by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (Public Domain, U.S.A.)
Heart Speaks to Heart – Cor ad Cor Loquitur
Sermon Reflection 10 for May 2026
by Sister Mary Catherine Blanding, IHM
https://www.newmanreader.org/works/parochial/volume2/sermon19.html
Sermon Synopsis
St. John Henry Newman preached this sermon in 1834, on Pentecost. Due to his increased study of the Eastern Fathers, such as St. Athanasius, he was able to articulate the role of the Holy Spirit in a deeply experiential way while remaining faithful to doctrine. If the Spirit truly dwells in us, then we are not only forgiven—we are being inwardly renewed into a life of prayer, charity, and belonging to Christ.
Reading Helps
(The numbers correspond to the sermon’s paragraph or note numbers in the text.)
217 What is the role of God the Son? How does He reveal Himself?
218 How does he describe the Holy Spirit?
219 What is the aim of this sermon? What Scriptural evidence does St.JHN give to show "The Holy Spirit has from the beginning pleaded with man?"
220 What New Testament proofs does he give that the Spirit is the Spirit of Christ?
221 How does Newman explain that the Holy Spirit came "as Christ came, by a real and personal visitation"
222 How does Newman give indirect evidence that the Holy Spirit is divine?
223 Give Newman's portrayal of "Regeneration"
224 What does St. JHN say the Holy Spirit does within us?
225 Identify the beautiful fruits of the Holy Spirit, according to Newman
226 How does Newman paint the Christian who lives by the Spirit?
227 Summarizes JHN's thesis that "The indwelling of the Holy Spirit raises the soul ...to the Father and to Christ"
228 What does the Spirit do within man, according to Newman?
230 What do you find beautiful in 230's description of the Christian heart?
229 Give the connection between joy and peace.
230- What exhortations does St. JHN give to protect us from pride?
Points to Ponder
- How does St. John Henry give a fuller picture of the Holy Spirit?
- Many say “This is the Age of the Holy Spirit.” What in this sermon may point to this opinion?
- How is the Gospel understanding of the Holy Spirit different from the Old Testament.
- God wants to :”divinize us” by grace, not by nature. Adam and Eve and many of their 21st century children want to become god on their own. Ponder the irony of God wanting to give us what we grasp.
- What would happen in our family and culture if each person lived according to the spirit?
- Judging others and a self-absorbing anxiety are two challenges that can halt the action of the Holy Spirit. Your thoughts?
Personal Reflection
☨ To look upon men who have been baptized in Christ's name, is too serious a matter. We need not do so, further than to pray for them, and to protest and strive against what is evil among them.” To probe into the consciences of other individuals who are “Temples of Truth and Holiness” is not our concern. In this phrase St. John Henry warns against rash judgements. Our concern is only to look to ourselves.
☨How can you fight against the proclivity to rash judging?
♰ How do you respond to pain and afflictions? St. John Henry tells us the humble Christian takes is meekly and humbly aware of a greater punishment that may await him or her. Do I respond this way? What can I do help myself respond better?
♰ St. Newman writes,
He who is anxious, thinks of himself, is suspicious of danger, speaks hurriedly,
and has no time for the interests of others; he who lives in peace is at leisure,
wherever his lot is cast. Such is the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart
Although it is true that anxiety can be physiological, some of it stems from self-absorption. How can I let the Holy Spirit fill me with peace?
Holy Spirit, have mercy on me!
Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, pray for me!
St. John Henry Newman, pray for me!