Learning Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

A. Explain the Church as the Body of Christ.
B. Determine the significance of unity in the church.
C. Cite ways the role of the members of the Church.
D. Compose a prayer for the unity of the church.

Lesson 6: The Church as the Body of Christ

Why is the Church called the Body of Christ?

According to Catechism of the Catholic Church 789, “the comparison of the Church with the body
casts the light on the intimate bond between Christ and His Church. Not only she gathered around
Him, she is united in Him, in His Body.”

There are 3 aspects of the Church as the Body of Christ to be more specifically noted:
> One Body
> Christ is the Head of this Body
> The Church is the Bride of Christ

Saying “Amen” implies three things: the belief that Christ is present, body and soul. His humanity and
divinity in the sacred host: the genuine acceptance of the body of Christ; and the desire to be in
communion with Him.

For Catholics, the expression of “Body of Christ” means real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

However, as recalled earlier, St. Paul used used this expression to refer to the Christian Church. “As
a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we are all given to drink of one Spirit. Now the
body is not a single part, but many” (1 Cor 12:12-14).

When we speak of Christ’s “body”, it can mean three things:

1. the physical body of the historical Jesus assumed at the incarnation;
2. the Eucharist body which is the sacramental presence of the Risen Christ in
His saving sacrifice; and
3. the mystical body, the church, the faithful united to Christ as their head and
vivified by His spirit.

Pope Pius XII, in his Encyclical Letter Mystical Corporis Christi published in 1943, states: “If we would
define and describe this true Church of Jesus Christ as the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Roman
Church, we shall find no expression more noble, more sublime or more divine than the Mystical Body
of Jesus Christ” (MC, 199).

Through the Spirit and its vital role in the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, Christ established
the community of believers, the Church, as His own Body. Thus, understanding the Church as Body
of Christ also underlines the dignity of each member who has a specific and important role to play.