Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! The ninth article of the Apostle’s Creed is “I believe in the Holy Catholic Church.” There are thirty-five (35) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding this article of the Creed. The following is a reflection on article 807.
In Sacred Scripture we read that as believers we ‘live and move and have our being’ in Christ (cf. Acts 17:28). This inspired text as well (as the eucharistic doxology following the consecration at Holy Mass) comes to mind when the Catechism teaches us that the Church lives of, in, and for Christ.
To say that the Church lives “of Christ” is to express the relationship between part and whole as well as origin. Mother Church is only Mother Church in relation to Christ, Bridegroom and Founder. Christ is the constant reference point for the Church and her life. Consideration of Christ as origin and Founder of Mother Church, in a philosophical sense, is to consider the “efficient causality.” It is together as believers in Jesus Christ, as those who have been baptized into His death and resurrection, that we are a part of His mystical body which is the Church (cf. Romans 6:4, 8; 1 Corinthians 12:13).
To say that the Church lives “in Christ” is to say that the Church is within, enclosed, or surrounded by Christ, perpetually included in His life. Apart from Christ we can do nothing, but in Him all good things are possible (cf. Matthew 19:26; Mark 9:23; 10:27; John 15:5).
To say that the Church lives “for Christ” is to highlight the purpose of all that the Church does. Philosophically, living “for Christ” is akin to the “final cause” which answers the question “For what purpose X?” The Church lives for Christ even until His return in glory at the end of time, when the Church will only be Triumphant and glorious in Heaven.
How is it that Christ lives with His Church? In Heaven, with His Blessed Mother and the souls of all the Saints who have gone before us, Christ is with His Church in triumphal glory now. On Earth Christ is with His bride Mother Church whenever we gather together in His Name (cf. Matthew 18:20). Whenever the inspired Word is proclaimed and accepted in faith Christ is with His Church. Christ the Lord is especially with His Church in the Sacrament of the Altar, the Eucharist, received in Holy Communion and adored in the tabernacles and monstrances around the world (cf. Matthew 28:20).
In faith we believe all this (and more) about Christ and His one only Church. May our love for Christ and His Church grow day by day. May our longing for Heaven, supernatural hope, also increase daily, that we might live with our Lord forever on high. All of this is possible via charity: God’s love for us and our love for God and neighbor (and self) according to God’s direct will.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr