The Church as Christ's Body

By Bishop Paul S. Loverde
Special to the HERALD
(From the Issue of March 6, 2003)

Following are Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde’s reflections on the Scriptures for the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, March 2, 2003.

In our readings for the eighth Sunday in ordinary time, God reveals Himself as bridegroom. Therefore, this nuptial image likewise reveals to us the nature of God, especially the God-man Jesus Christ, and our relationship with Him.

Our Holy Father Pope John Paul II addressed a group of German bishops during their 1999 Ad Limina visit, saying: "In the New Covenant there is only one sacrifice and one priest: Jesus Christ. All the baptized, men and women, have a share in this sacrifice of Christ, for they should ‘present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God’ (Rom 12:1). This participation involves not only the priestly, but also the prophetic and kingly mission of Christ. It expresses, moreover, the Church’s organic union with Christ, which the Letter to the Ephesians describes with the image of bridegroom and bride (cf. Eph 5:21-33). Here we find ourselves at the heart of the paschal mystery, which reveals God’s spousal love in all its depth. Christ is the bridegroom because He gave himself: he gave his body and shed his blood for us (cf. Lk 22:19-20). The fact that Jesus ‘loved to the end’ (Jn 13:1) emphasizes the nuptial meaning of love. Christ as Redeemer is the bridegroom of the Church. So we should rightly see the Eucharist, in which Christ builds up his Body, the Church, as the sacrament of the bridegroom and his bride" (Ad Limina Address to German Bishops, 11/20/99, n. 9).

I invite us to reflect on bishops and priests as bridegrooms of the Church. As Jesus is called the bridegroom of the Church because He freely laid down His life for us on the cross at Calvary, so bishops and their principal co-workers, the priests, are considered bridegrooms of the Church because in response to the invitation of Christ, they too lay down their lives to shepherd and lead the flock entrusted to their care. The bishops and priests stand in persona Christi, in the person of Christ, and in doing so, they teach, sanctify and govern the People of God. The Holy Father continued his pastoral address to the German bishops, defining the nature of the Church and the mission entrusted to the bishops as ministers of the one Church of Christ: "The Mater [mother] is also Magister [teacher]; she has the authority to bring up and teach her children, and so lead them to salvation. Mother Church gives birth to her sons and daughters; she nurtures and educates them. She gathers her children together and sends them out … You Pastors have a particular responsibility in this regard: as ‘fathers of your communities’, you have the right and duty to exercise the Church’s ‘maternal authority’" (Ibid 5). The bishop, and the priests who share in his Episcopal ministry: these are all called to act as fathers of their communities, following the example of Jesus Christ who laid down His life for His bride the Church.

This is done by a diocesan bishop in a myriad of ways: providing spiritual sustenance for the diocesan family entrusted to his pastoral care; correcting errors and forming character and consciences, both when it is popular and unpopular; planning for the particular needs of the diocesan family, both current and future; making personal sacrifices of time, talent and treasure to care for his diocesan family.

Our Holy Father then addressed the laity and explained their particular role as the children of God entrusted to the fatherly care of the local bishop. He said: "I likewise point out the attitude that the laity should have towards their Bishops and priests: ‘To their Pastors they should disclose their needs and desires with the liberty and confidence which befits the children of God and brothers in Christ. … If the occasion arises, this should be done through the institutions established by the Church for that purpose and always with truth, courage and prudence and with reverence and charity towards those who, by reason of their office, represent the person of Christ’ (Lumen Gentium, n. 37). Unity with the Bishop is the essential and indispensable attitude of the faithful Catholic, for one cannot claim to be on the Pope’s side without also standing by the Bishops in union with him" (Ibid. n. 7).

The Catholic Church in the United States has gone through a very difficult period. A number of bishops and priests have not conducted themselves as true bridegrooms and fathers of their communities. However, this does not change the fundamental nature of the relationship of the bishops and priests to the faithful and the fundamental relationship of the Church. Pastors are set over the people to shepherd them, to guide them and to act as loving bridegrooms who are solicitous of every need of the bride entrusted to their care.

Our Holy Father referenced the paschal mystery in which we see the nuptial relationship between God and humanity. It is at the baptismal font that we become children of God and members of the Church — the bride of Christ; in the Liturgy of the Word, the Bridegroom speaks to us and teaches us; and, in the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the Bridegroom nourishes us with His own Body and Blood, shed for us on Calvary so that we might become children of God and members of the Church — the Bride of Christ. The love and solicitude which we observe in married couples are a powerful, yet limited reflection of the infinite love and solicitude of God for us. "I will espouse you to me forever; I will espouse you in right and in justice, in love and in mercy; I will espouse you in fidelity and you shall know the Lord." This affirmation of love is proclaimed to us as individuals and as a Church. This love of God is the model for the love that we bishops and priests aspire to have for each of you. Join us in praying for bishops and priests transformed by God’s love, ready and eager to serve in the image of the faithful bridegroom.

Our world trembles on the brink of war in Iraq and a nuclear standoff in North Korea. So, as the pastor and bridegroom of this diocese, I ask you to join me in praying the rosary daily for true and lasting peace in our world and for wisdom for both our national and world leaders in seeking peace. Pope John Paul II reminds us that "We Christians, especially, are called to be sentinels of peace wherever we live and work. We are asked to watch out so that consciences may not yield to the temptation to egoism, lying and violence" (Angelus 2/23/03). Let us implore these graces from the divine Bridegroom; surely, His loving solicitude for His Bride will pour out upon us the graces we are seeking. Amen.

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