The Church: The Church: Reflecting the Light of ChristReflecting the Light of Christ

USCCA Chapter 10USCCA Chapter 10

Wednesday, April 19, 2023Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Session 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of ChristSession 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of Christ

1. The Church is a mystery revealed by God to be the Sacrament (sign and instrument) of salvation in the world.

a. The Holy Trinity brought the Church into being.

b. The Church is God’s instrument of the universal call to holiness in the world, despite being made of sinful people.

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

Session 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of ChristSession 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of Christ

1. The Church is a mystery revealed by God to be the Sacrament (sign and instrument) of salvation in the world.

c. The Church is the gathering of God’s family.

d. The word ‘church’ also applies to:

i. Specific geographical communities called ‘dioceses’.

ii. The building where the faithful celebrate the Sacraments.

iii. Families, who are the domestic or home church.

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

Session 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of ChristSession 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of Christ

2. The Church was part of God’s plan from the beginning.

a. God progressively prepared humanity for the Church throughout the Old Testament.

b. Jesus Christ founded the Church with His preaching, the establishment of the twelve Apostles, and through His self-giving on the Cross.

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

Session 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of ChristSession 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of Christ

2. The Church was part of God’s plan from the beginning.

c. The Holy Spirit revealed the Church at Pentecost.

d. Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, continues to fill her with His life and saving grace.

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

Session 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of ChristSession 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of Christ

3. The Church is a visible and spiritual reality.

a. As a visible public institution, the Church

i. Has a hierarchy, laws and customs for governance.

ii. Is made of people who gather in homes, parishes, dioceses, monasteries, convents and shrines.

iii. Is made of human beings still in the process of conversion.

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

Session 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of ChristSession 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of Christ

3. The Church is a visible and spiritual reality.

b. As a spiritual reality, the Church:

i. Is formed on bonds of faith and love.

ii. Calls all to holiness and communion in Christ,

iii. Forms the Mystical Body of Christ.

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

Session 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of ChristSession 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of Christ

4. The principal images of the Church are:

a. The People of God, those brought together by Christ in Baptism.

All of the Baptized share in Christ’s ministry as:

i. Priest, offering their lives as a living sacrifice of love to the Father.

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

Session 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of ChristSession 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of Christ

4. The principal images of the Church are:

a. The People of God, those brought together by Christ in Baptism.

All of the Baptized share in Christ’s ministry as:

ii. Prophet, teaching and witnessing God’s word in the world.

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

Session 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of ChristSession 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of Christ

4. The principal images of the Church are:

a. The People of God, those brought together by Christ in Baptism.

All of the Baptized share in Christ’s ministry as:

iii. King, leading others through loving service.

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

Session 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of ChristSession 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of Christ

4. The principal images of the Church are:

b. The Body of Christ, with Jesus as the head and the members making up the body.

c. The Bride of Christ, loved by Jesus to the point of His death.

d. The Temple of the Holy Spirit, the dwelling place of God.

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

Session 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of ChristSession 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of Christ

4. The principal images of the Church are:

e. Communion.

“At the center of the Gospel message is God’s desire to share the communion of Trinitarian life with us (USCCA p. 119).”

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023

Session 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of ChristSession 4: The Church—Reflecting the Light of Christ

Discussion Questions:

1. Many struggle with the fact that Christ instituted the Church, both her invisible and visible nature. Read Matthew 16. Why is the hierarchical institution of the Church necessary for her mission? What would happen to Christianity without it?

2. How can holiness better become the foundation of your membership in the Body of Christ?

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023