The Body of Christ

[hoop0826]

In 1 Corinthians Chapter 12, St. Paul writes about the Body of Christ, particulary in regard to the importance of unity of the members, yet differences among the members which like the human body, has many different parts that are needed for it to function properly and effectively as a whole.

I put this in the evangelizaiton thread, because I think I am beginning to discern an important outreach for the building up of the Body of Christ, and especially for its effectiveness to take action or move in the world, whether to evangelize, to do good works such as helping the poor and needy, teaching and removing errors, glorifying God, liturgy, building up a civilization founded on the the teachings of the Church, and many more works of God.

For it makes sense to me that the Body, if not completely in tact, if some parts are in rebellion, or some parts are absent, or that some are weakened, that the whole of the body becomes less effective and disabled. So when it is so moved by the will to do some work, it cannot because its members are not healthy and capable of doing so.

So, if the Body of Christ were to set out to do a good work of evangelization, would it not first have to look over its members, making sure that they are all in healthy working order before it could proceed to perform the work?

I wish I could expound on this more now, but I must let the Holy Spirit guide me. Thanks.

 

[GEddie]

In 1 Corinthians Chapter 12, St. Paul writes about the Body of Christ, particulary in regard to the importance of unity of the members, yet differences among the members which like the human body, has many different parts that are needed for it to function properly and effectively as a whole.

I put this in the evangelizaiton thread, because I think I am beginning to discern an important outreach for the building up of the Body of Christ, and especially for its effectiveness to take action or move in the world, whether to evangelize, to do good works such as helping the poor and needy, teaching and removing errors, glorifying God, liturgy, building up a civilization founded on the the teachings of the Church, and many more works of God.

For it makes sense to me that the Body, if not completely in tact, if some parts are in rebellion, or some parts are absent, or that some are weakened, that the whole of the body becomes less effective and disabled. So when it is so moved by the will to do some work, it cannot because its members are not healthy and capable of doing so.

So, if the Body of Christ were to set out to do a good work of evangelization, would it not first have to look over its members, making sure that they are all in healthy working order before it could proceed to perform the work?

I wish I could expound on this more now, but I must let the Holy Spirit guide me. Thanks.

Nice job!

One could think of the human beings making up the “Church Body” as being like the body-cells in our own Human Bodies. Because body-cells were unknown to Saint Paul, he compared individuals in the “Church Body” to hands, feet, eyes, nose, etc. Had SP lived in the 1900s, he might have said “some of you are muscle cells, some are nerve cells…” etc.

Of course, there are far fewer “cells” (persons) in the “Church body” than in your body: about 10 E9, versus 10 e14 in an average human being. And since each “cell” has a self-will, the “Head” (who is our LORD) does not have the oneness of command that a “Body” needs for its own well-being.

The advantage is that the “Church Body” is a spiritual body; and as such, receives its breath from Heaven. Unlike a human being, who will die if his body-cells go out of control, the “Church Body”, like our LORD’s human body, lives for ever!

ICXC NIKA

 

[Carlan]

In 1 Corinthians Chapter 12, St. Paul writes about the Body of Christ, particulary in regard to the importance of unity of the members, yet differences among the members which like the human body, has many different parts that are needed for it to function properly and effectively as a whole.

I put this in the evangelizaiton thread, because I think I am beginning to discern an important outreach for the building up of the Body of Christ, and especially for its effectiveness to take action or move in the world, whether to evangelize, to do good works such as helping the poor and needy, teaching and removing errors, glorifying God, liturgy, building up a civilization founded on the the teachings of the Church, and many more works of God.

For it makes sense to me that the Body, if not completely in tact, if some parts are in rebellion, or some parts are absent, or that some are weakened, that the whole of the body becomes less effective and disabled. So when it is so moved by the will to do some work, it cannot because its members are not healthy and capable of doing so.

So, if the Body of Christ were to set out to do a good work of evangelization, would it not first have to look over its members, making sure that they are all in healthy working order before it could proceed to perform the work?

I wish I could expound on this more now, but I must let the Holy Spirit guide me. Thanks.

Thanks, The Holy Spirit never stops his action of pushing us forward in this world,
We must continue to pray for the enlightenment of understanding for all God’s children so that we continue to grow toward Eternal unity.Peace , Carlan
s

 

[PJM]

In 1 Corinthians Chapter 12, St. Paul writes about the Body of Christ, particulary in regard to the importance of unity of the members, yet differences among the members which like the human body, has many different parts that are needed for it to function properly and effectively as a whole.

I put this in the evangelizaiton thread, because I think I am beginning to discern an important outreach for the building up of the Body of Christ, and especially for its effectiveness to take action or move in the world, whether to evangelize, to do good works such as helping the poor and needy, teaching and removing errors, glorifying God, liturgy, building up a civilization founded on the the teachings of the Church, and many more works of God.

For it makes sense to me that the Body, if not completely in tact, if some parts are in rebellion, or some parts are absent, or that some are weakened, that the whole of the body becomes less effective and disabled. So when it is so moved by the will to do some work, it cannot because its members are not healthy and capable of doing so.

So, if the Body of Christ were to set out to do a good work of evangelization, would it not first have to look over its members, making sure that they are all in healthy working order before it could proceed to perform the work?

I wish I could expound on this more now, but I must let the Holy Spirit guide me. Thanks.

Very perceptive and on the mark.

Are you aware that about a month or so ago, Pope benedict created a NEw Curia level Dept. who’s singualr mission is to re-evangulize th catholic community world wide; but is particular where they is evidence of a GREAT lack of Proper Understanding of the Faith?

AMERICA is on that list! Fallen away Catholics in America are the second largest “religious” group.

ALL of us are needed to in what ever manner God makes avaiable to us to get behind this ESSENTIAL efort!

God Bless,

Pat

 

[hoop0826]

Are you aware that about a month or so ago, Pope benedict created a NEw Curia level Dept. who’s singualr mission is to re-evangulize th catholic community world wide; but is particular where they is evidence of a GREAT lack of Proper Understanding of the Faith?

I was not aware of this! That is really interesting!

Here is Michaelangelo’s “Pieta”, which as art I think as art is inspiring to the individual. Here in relation to the Body of Christ, I think we can see and organizational flow chart for the Church -
See how Our Lord’s body is in perfect harmony with itself, not one member rising up against another. And it can be contemplated what part of the Church is the arms? or the legs? what part are the hands that bear wounds?
And then see how the entire body is in repose in its Mother’s arms.

[oversized image removed]

 

[Carlan]

I was not aware of this! That is really interesting!

Here is Michaelangelo’s “Pieta”, which as art I think as art is inspiring to the individual. Here in relation to the Body of Christ, I think we can see and organizational flow chart for the Church -
See how Our Lord’s body is in perfect harmony with itself, not one member rising up against another. And it can be contemplated what part of the Church is the arms? or the legs? what part are the hands that bear wounds?
And then see how the entire body is in repose in its Mother’s arms.

[oversized image removed]

Thank you, Hoop! Peace, Carlan

 

[MaxRosen]

Are you aware that about a month or so ago, Pope benedict created a NEw Curia level Dept. who’s singualr mission is to re-evangulize th catholic community world wide; but is particular where they is evidence of a GREAT lack of Proper Understanding of the Faith?

Very interesting. I hope no one here will be offended if I say that I find the ignorance that most Catholics I encounter display about their faith to be astonishing.

 

[hoop0826]

And here is the miraculous image of Our Lady of Gudalupe, who is also Patroness of the Americas - and if I see the Body of Christ symbolic of the Church in this image - I find that where is it but under the protection and nuture of the womb of the Blessed Mother. Is this not representative of the Church in the New World, so utterly dependent upon the care of the Mother of God - under the shelter of the womb of its mother? And also where is our Lord persecuted much in America, but in the children in the womb?

[oversized image removed]

 

[Carlan]

Our Lady of Gudalupe, Patroness of the Americas .

Thank you again Hoop, Such beautiful insight, Peace, Carlan

 

[hoop0826]

Very interesting. I hope no one here will be offended if I say that I find the ignorance that most Catholics I encounter display about their faith to be astonishing.

No offense taken - though I have been fortunate enough to have met Catholics who are not ignorant about their faith, and it really made a profound impact on me.

 

[PJM]

Very interesting. I hope no one here will be offended if I say that I find the ignorance that most Catholics I encounter display about their faith to be astonishing.

As do I, our Pope and a GREAT many others.

Time is SHORT…Let us Pray AND DO OUR PART to remendy the current situation!

Gd’s continued Blessings,
Pat

By the way I’d be delighted to address any questions that you may have.

 

[hoop0826]

I think that also, when the Body is in disrepair - it needs a doctor at times to keep it well and make it well when it is injured. I was thinking most importantly of St. Thomas Aquinas - who I really think is going to have much of the teachings that will make the Body of Christ especially on earth really come together.

 

[tskrobacz]

In 1 Corinthians Chapter 12, St. Paul writes about the Body of Christ, particulary in regard to the importance of unity of the members, yet differences among the members which like the human body, has many different parts that are needed for it to function properly and effectively as a whole.

I put this in the evangelizaiton thread, because I think I am beginning to discern an important outreach for the building up of the Body of Christ, and especially for its effectiveness to take action or move in the world, whether to evangelize, to do good works such as helping the poor and needy, teaching and removing errors, glorifying God, liturgy, building up a civilization founded on the the teachings of the Church, and many more works of God.

For it makes sense to me that the Body, if not completely in tact, if some parts are in rebellion, or some parts are absent, or that some are weakened, that the whole of the body becomes less effective and disabled. So when it is so moved by the will to do some work, it cannot because its members are not healthy and capable of doing so.

So, if the Body of Christ were to set out to do a good work of evangelization, would it not first have to look over its members, making sure that they are all in healthy working order before it could proceed to perform the work?

I wish I could expound on this more now, but I must let the Holy Spirit guide me. Thanks.

As Catholics we believe in the universality of Christ…that all peoples are in Christ and Christ in them, regardless of their individual/chosen belief system. So your quest is that of all religion - to awaken from the perception of separateness into the truth that we are all one, united in Christ. The accomplishment of your quest would be the fulfillment of the Kingdom here on earth.

 

[hoop0826]

As Catholics we believe in the universality of Christ…that all peoples are in Christ and Christ in them, regardless of their individual/chosen belief system. So your quest is that of all religion - to awaken from the perception of separateness into the truth that we are all one, united in Christ. The accomplishment of your quest would be the fulfillment of the Kingdom here on earth.

Thanks, yes to “awaken” to the realization that we are all one in Christ - I think that this awareness intensifies and puts a sound reason to why we ought to love each other. For any one can love his own body, and he does and most are very close to their own bodies in love, respect, and care - providing for it with clothes and food, heat in cold, cool ness in heat - but then prehaps as maturity is reached, that same care is transferred over to the Church which is the Body of Christ.

But, mustn’t it also be joined together by the Body and Blood of Our Lord in the Eucharist?

 

[tskrobacz]

But, mustn’t it also be joined together by the Body and Blood of Our Lord in the Eucharist?

Do this in memory of me…Jesus invites us to the awakening power of Eucharist which continually reminds us of who we already are…the Body of Christ. Without such continuous reminders we tend to forget who and whose we really are. Great truths are hard for the human mind to grasp - Eucharist gives us one, concrete moment to grasp at this great mystery.

 

[hoop0826]

Do this in memory of me…Jesus invites us to the awakening power of Eucharist which continually reminds us of who we already are…the Body of Christ. Without such continuous reminders we tend to forget who and whose we really are. Great truths are hard for the human mind to grasp - Eucharist gives us one, concrete moment to grasp at this great mystery.

Again, I think you are onto the same thing that I am thinking of. Perhaps, because the Lord knows our weaknesses, paticulary in our failings of memory in that we tend to forget very easily, become distracted very easily, and start to sway from one way to another so easily, that the Church requires of us to attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation, and it is here the most that we are continually reawakened to the truth of Christ in the Eucharist and the Church as the Body of Christ.

 

[tskrobacz]

Again, I think you are onto the same thing that I am thinking of. Perhaps, because the Lord knows our weaknesses, paticulary in our failings of memory in that we tend to forget very easily, become distracted very easily, and start to sway from one way to another so easily, that the Church requires of us to attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation, and it is here the most that we are continually reawakened to the truth of Christ in the Eucharist and the Church as the Body of Christ.

Church as Jesus defines in Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them"…

 

[hoop0826]

Church as Jesus defines in Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them"…

I think this passage more reaonably points to Our Lord telling us that He will be with us always, but not necessarily defining the Church - unless one of the “two or three” refer to Peter.

Matthew 16:18 says:
“And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”

I think this states that the Church as He founded it can be defined as the one built upon Peter, whose office is now the Bishop of Rome or the Pope, which we also know by Tradition.

I guess that this would mean that for unity in the Body of Christ - the Church on earth especially - one must turn to the Bishop of Rome and start building out from there.

 

[PJM]

=hoop0826;7340509]In 1 Corinthians Chapter 12, St. Paul writes about the Body of Christ, particulary in regard to the importance of unity of the members, yet differences among the members which like the human body, has many different parts that are needed for it to function properly and effectively as a whole.

I put this in the evangelizaiton thread, because I think I am beginning to discern an important outreach for the building up of the Body of Christ, and especially for its effectiveness to take action or move in the world, whether to evangelize, to do good works such as helping the poor and needy, teaching and removing errors, glorifying God, liturgy, building up a civilization founded on the the teachings of the Church, and many more works of God.

For it makes sense to me that the Body, if not completely in tact, if some parts are in rebellion, or some parts are absent, or that some are weakened, that the whole of the body becomes less effective and disabled. So when it is so moved by the will to do some work, it cannot because its members are not healthy and capable of doing so.

So, if the Body of Christ were to set out to do a good work of evangelization, would it not first have to look over its members, making sure that they are all in healthy working order before it could proceed to perform the work?

I wish I could expound on this more now, but I must let the Holy Spirit guide me. Thanks.

Actually your thoughts are quite perceptive.

Are you aware that about a month ago Pope Benedict XVI Created a new Curia Level Department whose SOUL [and sole] purpose is to reevangualize countries that were at one time predominately Catholic and have been back-slinding towards hell?

WE ARE ALL CALLED TO ASSIST IN THIS EFFORT!

Love and prayers,
Pat

 

[hoop0826]

Actually your thoughts are quite perceptive.

Are you aware that about a month ago Pope Benedict XVI Created a new Curia Level Department whose SOUL [and sole] purpose is to reevangualize countries that were at one time predominately Catholic and have been back-slinding towards hell?

WE ARE ALL CALLED TO ASSIST IN THIS EFFORT!

Love and prayers,
Pat

Thanks for bringing this up again, and I looked it up

The Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_letters/documents/hf_ben-xvi_apl_20100921_ubicumque-et-semper_en.html

I am really looking forward to this and the effects that it will have.