How many Bodies does Christ have?

[CutlerB]

The question may sound peculiar, but I’m confused about something I read on Catholic Answers. In the article “Any Friend of God is a Friend of Mine” Patrick Madrid writes the following, speaking about the Church:

2. Jesus has only one Body.

Jesus has only one Body—not one on earth and another one in heaven (Eph 4:4, Col 3:15). All Christians, including those in heaven, are members of that one body.

My question is rather simple: Is he referring merely to the fact that there is a Communion of Saints, that is not separated*— or does he mean that Christ does not have is resurrected Body any longer in Heaven and rather it has been replaced by the Church? Sounds weird, I know.

 

[ErricFiggy]

The question may sound peculiar, but I’m confused about something I read on Catholic Answers. In the article “Any Friend of God is a Friend of Mine” Patrick Madrid writes the following, speaking about the Church:

My question is rather simple: Is he referring merely to the fact that there is a Communion of Saints, that is not separated*— or does he mean that Christ does not have is resurrected Body any longer in Heaven and rather it has been replaced by the Church? Sounds weird, I know.

Hm, I recommend you take a closer look at the context I believe he is referring to the fact that there is only ONE Body of Christ, and that includes not only us here in Earth but the Saints in Heaven as well. I believe Patrick Madrid is refrencing the verses in 1 Corinthians regarding how the Body of Christ can’t be separated from one another. So just as I can ask you to pray for me, because we’re both members of the Body of Christ, I can also ask St. Francis de Sales to pray for me. Just like I ( for example, the foot) cant say to the eye (St. Francis) I don’t need you! Does that make sense? He’s basically saying that just because the saints are no longer on earth, doesn’t mean that they no longer play a role in our salvation and spiritual growth. I hope I didn’t cause more confusion

 

[CutlerB]

Hm, I recommend you take a closer look at the context I believe he is referring to the fact that there is only ONE Body of Christ, and that includes not only us here in Earth but the Saints in Heaven as well. I believe Patrick Madrid is refrencing the verses in 1 Corinthians regarding how the Body of Christ can’t be separated from one another. So just as I can ask you to pray for me, because we’re both members of the Body of Christ, I can also ask St. Francis de Sales to pray for me. Just like I ( for example, the foot) cant say to the eye (St. Francis) I don’t need you! Does that make sense? He’s basically saying that just because the saints are no longer on earth, doesn’t mean that they no longer play a role in our salvation and spiritual growth. I hope I didn’t cause more confusion

No, it seems to make sense. I came across the article in a search for a specific reference, that’s why I didn’t read the whole article. The wording that Christ didn’t have two separate bodies, one in heaven and one on earth, could also be interpreted to deny His bodily Resurrection, that’s what I meant. I only wanted clarification if Mr Madrid was only referring to the Church (that is in heaven and on earth together).

Thanks.

 

[GEddie]

Yeah, this is not a reference to HIS human form at all, but to the collection of people we refer to as HIS "Mystical Body".

His resurrectional-human body is alive and well

ICXC NIKA