Catechism Quote

Catechism #776

Pentecost-The Birthday of the Church

As sacrament, the Church is Christ's instrument. "She is taken up by him also as the instrument for the salvation of all," the universal sacrament of salvation," by which Christ is "at once manifesting and actualizing the mystery of God's love for men." 199 The Church

"is the visible plan of God's love for humanity," because God desires "that the whole human race may become one People of God, form one Body of Christ, and be built up into one temple of the Holy Spirit.200

199 LHG 9s2,48 s2;GS45 s 1.
200 Paul VI, June 22, 1973; AG 7s2; cf. LG 17.

...you are 'Rock,' and on this rock I will build my church, and the jaws of death shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:18

Secular Carmelites are called to pray on behalf of the church. We are called to "...bear witness to Christ by their life of prayer (Article 8 of the Secular Carmelite Rule)."  The catechism quote above states that the Church is the "visible plan of God's love for humanity."  As secular Carmelites, members of the body of Christ, our call to be a witness to Christ through the charism of contemplative prayer gives witness indeed, to the world, that Christ's love is alive in the Church. Since the Church is the universal sacrament of salvation, we, as members of the body of Christ, participate in his plan of salvation for all by our faithfulness to contemplatiave prayer.

The union with God that we desire in prayer is a reflection of the union that God desires with us, his Church, to form one Body of Christ, one people of God.

Let us pray that all may be one in Christ!

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie
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