THE CHURCH

“Church”: a language lesson• Kyriake (Greek): belonging to the Lord

• Ekklesia (Greek) :“those called out,” a convocation or assembly– Secular: legislative assembly– NT: community called out of the world to live

differently– We are summoned to:

» Be different (holy!)» Be in the world but not of the world» Gather to act on behalf of/in the name of God» Be united with Christ

Church:What does it mean

1. Catholics who gather at liturgyliturgy – “the work of the people”

2. Local parish communityEx: St. Michael’s, Our Lady of Lourdes

3. Universal community of believerscatholic: Greek for universalCatholic: Proper noun referring to Roman Catholic Church

Symbols and Images of the ChurchSheepfold -“The flock of which

God himself foretold that he would be the shepherd…” (CCC 754).

Cultivated field – “That land like a choice vineyard has been planted by the heavenly cultivator” (CCC 755)

Symbols and Images Continued

• Building of God – “The Lord compared himself to the stone which the builders rejected, but which was made into the cornerstone, on this foundation the Church is built by the apostles and from it the Church receives solidity and unity” (CCC 756)

Images and Symbols

• Body of Christ• Bride of Christ• Vine and Branches• Marian Images • People of God

Church as Mystery• Theologically: inexhaustible – not unknowable• Images (models) help us to describe what we

already understandEx: church as servant, bride of Christ

• A reality imbued with the hidden presence of God– Emphasizes ongoing work of Jesus in human

history

Church’s Mission/Purpose“The Church’s first purpose is to be the sacrament of the inner

union of men with God” (CCC 775).• To continues the work and presence of Jesus Christ in the

world with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Goal: unite all things – human and divine realities in Him.• The Church aims to create and nourish the relationship

between each individual soul and its Creator.

“The Church is the visible plan of God’s love for humanity because God desires that the whole human may become one People of God, form

one Body of Christ, and be built up into one temple of the Holy Spirit.” (Lumen Gentium)

Who makes up the Church?

• Jesus Christ• Apostles• Holy Spirit• US! All human beings– Religious: Bishops, priests, nuns, etc. – Lay people: everyone else

Where

EVERYWHEREPhysical (visible): structures, governance, and

people exist within the world as a part of the Church.

Spiritual(invisible): Mystical Body of Christ; Church in heaven.

*We are a Pilgrim Church, “We are made of the world but not of the world.” (John 15:19)

-Complex reality of the visible and invisible church

When

FOREVERFrom the beginning of time into eternity!

God created the world to enjoy communion with Him.Convocation of men with Christ convocation is the

ChurchThe Church, at the end of time, will be perfected in

Glory within heaven (eternal).Visible Church: 33 A.D. – present

Invisible Church: ∞

Church History

Theological ideal vs. Reality within history• The “how” of the Church is recorded

throughout history including all of its failures and successes.