Living Tabernacles
There is a beautiful tradition in the Church that calls Mary the Living Tabernacle of Jesus. Just as the cloud of God’s presence overshadowed the Tent of Meeting in the wilderness, so the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary at the Annunciation:
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” — Luke 1:35
The same glory that throughout history filled tents in the desert, came to dwell within a young woman. Mary became the meeting place between heaven and earth—the first human sanctuary of the Incarnate Word.
What once filled the tents and tabernacles in the desert and the womb of Mary now fills us.
Saint Paul echoes this mystery when he writes: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? … The temple of God, which you are, is holy.” — 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Through baptism and the indwelling Spirit, we too become living tabernacles—walking sanctuaries where the presence of God chooses to abide. Holiness, then, is not distance from the world; it’s God’s nearness made visible through our bodies, our words, and our love.
Our faith is designed to be an embodied faith. This resonates with New Age embodiment practices, breath work, ecstatic dance, grounding ....
When we carry His presence with reverence and joy, we become what Mary was: dwelling places of the Divine.
The Call to Personal Holiness
To build a sanctuary for others, we must also tend the sanctuary within. Before we can host God’s presence in a tent, we must let Him make His home in our hearts.
Holiness is not perfection—it’s hospitality. It’s making room for the Spirit to overshadow us again and again.
When we live this way, we become living tabernacles in the modern wilderness.mAnd wherever we go, even into the dust, God once again pitches His tent among His people.
Prepare Your Inner Tent
Find a quiet place to sit. Take a few slow breaths.
Feel your feet grounded on holy earth.
Imagine your heart as a tent—simple, humble, and waiting.
Picture the Spirit of God hovering near, like the cloud that filled the Tabernacle, like the presence that overshadowed Mary.
Now pray softly:
“Come, Holy Spirit. Overshadow me as You overshadowed Mary.
Fill this inner tent with Your peace and presence.”
Invite Him to dwell not only in your thoughts, but in your body—in your breath, your voice, your hands.
Ask Him to make your life a place of rest for His presence.
Stay here for a few moments.
When you rise, carry that presence with you—
into your conversations, your creativity, your compassion.'
Be a living tabernacle—
in the desert, in the city, and wherever God leads.
About the Author: Nova worked inside church walls, evangelizing and building programs for those in the pews, for 12 years. In 2022, she followed Jesus into the nucleus of the New Age people group. She realized they are seeking Jesus and understood His great love for them. She is now developing a ministry to the New Age.
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Nova is a pseudonym that signifies a new, bright star. If you would like to be invited to the private blog, see pictures from the field, and hear more stories, please fill out this short form.
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