Day 111: The Church as the Body of Christ

The comparison of the Church with the body casts light on the intimate bond between Christ and his Church. Not only is she gathered around him; she is united in him, in his body. Three aspects of the Church as the Body of Christ are to be more specifically noted: the unity of all her members with each other as a result of their union with Christ; Christ as head of the Body; and the Church as bride of Christ. CCC 789

In today's reading, the Catechism speaks of the Church as the Body of Christ - something I've been using in commenting on passages before today. Through grace, we have a "still more intimate communion" with Christ, especially in the Eucharist: "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him" (Jn 6:56). As the Catechism Compendium notes:

The risen Christ unites his faithful people to himself in an intimate way by means of the Holy Spirit. In this way, those who believe in Christ, in as much as they are close to him, especially in the Eucharist, are united among themselves in charity. They form one body, the Church, whose unity is experienced in the diversity of its members and its functions. (#156)

We are individuals and bound through Christ in communion with one another. Both bring their own responsibilities and commitments. The Catechism Companion, Vol I puts it like this:

We place our individuality at the service of the Lord and the Church, but our individuality remains. Although virtue and sin can both be personal, neither can be private or isolated from the rest of the Body. Even hidden sin hurts both ourselves and the entire Church, and our virtuous acts, even those that are unknown to many will bless the Church. (p. 226)

Together with Jesus, we are truly One Body!