August 25 – The Indwelling Christ
The mystery is Christ within you—your hope of Glory! We are temples, and grace is the indwelling presence. Richard Rohr
Gregg’s Reflection
When Paul proclaims, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27), he names a truth I have struggled tobelieve. It is one thing to say that God created the heavens and the earth, another to say that the very presence of Christ lives within me. This mystery is not about achievement or status but about grace—the divine choosing to dwell in fragile human hearts.
I’ve found that the more I strive to prove myself, the more elusive this indwelling feels. It’s only when I stop grasping and begin consenting to God’s presence already within me that I discover peace. The center of my being is not emptiness but fullness. God’s grace is not far off but as near as my next breath.
This inner indwelling is the source of strength, courage, and hope. It means I do not need to carry life alone. Christ’s power flows outward when I rest in His presence inward. To live from this truth is to realize that glory is not an external prize but a hidden treasure already planted in the soul.
Scripture
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1:27
Ancient Quotes
My deepest me is God!
Catherine of Genoa, Spiritual Dialogues, Dialogue
Modern Quotes
The mystery is Christ within you—your hope of Glory! We are temples, and grace is the indwelling presence. Once we know this, the work is not about climbing ladders of perfection but consenting to the flow that is already within.
Richard Rohr, Immortal Diamond: The Search for Our True Self
When the presence of God emerges from our inmost being into our faculties, whether we walk down the street or drink a cup of soup, divine life is pouring into the world.
Thomas Keating, Open Mind, Open Heart: The Contemplative Dimension of the Gospel, p. 112
Journaling Prompts
- Where have you experienced God’s presence within you rather than outside of you?
- What keeps you from trusting that Christ dwells in you?
- How might living from your “deepest me” change your daily choices?
Go deeper into this week’s theme:
Read the full Week 34 Reflection: Power of God/Power of Grace