Body of Christ

 

The Luke 11:9 series: Body of Christ

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Rev Jon Foley SJ wrote a beautiful hymn called 'One bread, one body', with these lyrics

One bread, one body,

One Lord of all,

One cup of blessing which we bless.

And we, though many,

Throughout the earth,

We are one body in this one Lord.

Gentile or Jew,

Servant or free,

Woman or man, no more

Christ founded the Church to be his body on Earth, and we the faithful are living members of this one body. 

St Paul in the letter to the Corinthians said, ”For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit, we were all baptised into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit." [1 Corinthians 12:12-13]

St Paul reiterates this in his letter to the Colossians, saying, "Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him, all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross." [Colossians 1:13-25]

One sometimes hears the gripe that the Church is so fragmented today. Wasn’t there one Redeemer, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who suffered, died and was resurrected for all humanity ... so how do we reconcile the numerous main sects? 

• Catholicism: The largest Christian denomination, led by the Pope in Rome successor of St Peter (the name “Catholic” comes from the Greek word "katholikos", meaning "universal" or "general”). It emphasizes the sacraments, and the authority of the Church founded by Christ on the rock, St Peter, against which the gates of Hell shall never prevail.

• Orthodoxy: Comprise various Apostolic churches that date back to the time of Christ  (e.g., Greek, Russian, Coptic, Syrian etc.), focused on the continuity of tradition and the sacraments (the name "Orthodox" comes from the Greek words "orthos" or "right" and "doxa" or "belief" as opposed to heresies).

• Lutheranism: Founded on the Protestant Reformation teachings of Reformer Martin Luther (c. 1483-1546), it emphasizes salvation by God's grace alone (Sola Gratia), through faith alone (Sola Fide), and based on Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura).

• Calvinism: Based on Protestant Reformation doctrines of John Calvin (c. 1509-1564) from the Reformist age, particularly the sovereignty of God and predestination. Sometimes called Presbyterianism (the name "Presbyterian" comes from the Bible, and has its roots in the Greek word "presbuteros", meaning "elder." To put it simply, a Presbyterian Church is a Christian church that is governed or ruled by spiritual leaders called “elders.”)

• Anglicanism: Originating from the Church of England, founded by King Henry VIII (r. 1509-1547), who broke away from the Catholic Church in 1543 (the name "Anglican" comes from the phrase "Anglicana ecclesia libera sit", which appears in the Magna Carta of 1215 and means "the English Church shall be free"). It combines Protestant and Catholic elements and emphasises scripture and the Nicene and Apostles' creeds. Sometimes called Episcopalianism (the name "Episcopal" comes from the Greek word "episkopos", which means "bishop" or "overseer". The name reflects its structure, which is centred around bishops, who oversee a geographic area called a diocese where their authority is equal to that of the Apostles). 

• Baptists: Emphasizing believer's Baptism and congregational governance (the name "Baptist" comes from the practice of immersing oneself completely in water to mimic the practice of St John the Baptist)

• Methodism: Founded by John Wesley (c. 1703-1791), focused on grace and social justice (the name "Methodism" comes from their methodical approach to the Christian faith, which began as a revival movement within the Church of England by John Wesley, a Church of England minister who sought to reform the church).

• Pentecostalism: Highlighting the gifts of the Holy Spirit, particularly speaking in tongues (the name "Pentecostal" comes from the Feast of the Pentecost, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ after his Resurrection).

photo credit: wwyeshua

Let’s start with the teaching of Jesus: "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me, you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned." [John 15:1-8]

Next let’s see how St Paul, continues to expand on this in his letter to the Colossians: 'For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would the smell come from? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be?

But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honourable, on these we bestow greater honour; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honour to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it.' [Colossians 12:12-26]

Satan tries very hard to divide the Church - the body of Christ. But stay united, for we have far more in common, than what separates us. Remember, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” [Matthew 12;25].

After his death and resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples saying, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned." [Mark 16:15-16]

Don't let Satan drive a wedge between the different parts of the body of Christ - so let’s not worry about who is right and who is wrong; rather go about spreading the Gospel

If we are true disciples of Jesus, carrying out the work of the Holy Spirit to spread the Gospel throughout the world, then we act in synergy with each other and communion with our Savior and Redeemer.

Footnote

This series of posts, which I call, 'The Luke 11:9 Series', is an attempt to verbalise various aspects of my Catholic faith as revealed in Scripture; topics include Destination Heaven; Golden ticket; God's Grace; Seeds of Love; Mary, did you know?; Feel the love of God; Love your neighbour as yourself, The Good Shepherd; Receive the Sacraments often; Eucharistic Adoration; Communion of Saints; How to pray; Role-playing Scripture; Mary, Help of Christians; Understanding suffering; Forgiveness; Gratitude, the life-changing attitude; Life after death; One Body of Christ; and Hearts ablaze. I sincerely hope it helps you in your faith journey. Always turn to the Holy Spirit when you search for answers to your questions, because Luke 11:9 says, "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."