Dear Friends in Christ,
What is the Church? Have you ever asked yourself this question and really stopped to think? People see the Catholic Church in all sorts of ways. Some look at her like a business that has a CEO at the top of it and many different branch offices scattered throughout the world. Others may see the Church kind of like a club where people who like the same kinds of things can get together and share common interests. Still others may think the Church to be a sort of international charity organization set up to do good deeds.
All of these, in one way or another, miss the mark of what (or really – WHO) the Church really is. The Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it this way:
“The Church is born primarily of Christ’s total self-giving for our salvation, anticipated in the institution of the Eucharist and fulfilled on the cross. “The origin and growth of the Church are symbolized by the blood and water which flowed from the open side of the crucified Jesus.” “For it was from the side of Christ as he slept the sleep of death upon the cross that there came forth the ‘wondrous sacrament of the whole Church.’” As Eve was formed from the sleeping Adam’s side, so the Church was born from the pierced heart of Christ hanging dead on the cross.” (766)
So, yes, the Church is the Body of Christ. In today’s gospel, Jesus says to St. Peter: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” (Mt 16:18). Christ loves the Church as his very own body – and he has personally called us all to be a part of this Sacrament of Salvation. In other words, the Church is the place where God’s people are gathered together, made holy, and given the gift of permanent belonging in the Kingdom of God (salvation).
Finally, just a reminder to all of our lectors, ushers, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to mark your calendars for one of our upcoming training sessions: October 4th, 7:00pm at OLM, and October 7th, 9:00am at OLM, or October 19th at 7:00pm at SFX. This will also be an opportunity for people who would like to join these ministries be trained as well. Training for altar servers will be announced soon. I am in need of a volunteer to serve as the coordinator for this important ministry in which our young people learn to draw near to the Holy Altar. If you are interested, please contact me at the Parish Office.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Thomas J. Byrne