What is the Church? Not first a building, and not a club of like-minded people. The word comes from the Greek ekklesia, “those called out”: God's people called together. The Second Vatican Council called the Church a mystery, a reality both visible and spiritual, which no single image can fully describe.
The Church is the People of God. As God formed Israel, He forms a new people from every nation through faith and Baptism. Its head is Christ, its law is love, its mission is to be salt of the earth and light of the world, and its goal is the Kingdom of God.
The Church is the Body of Christ. Saint Paul wrote that we are many parts but one body, and Christ is the Head. Every member matters: when one suffers, all suffer; when one is honored, all rejoice. When Saul persecuted Christians, the risen Jesus asked him, “Why are you persecuting me?” Christ and His Church are one.
The Church is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, built of living stones. She is also the Bride of Christ, whom He loved and for whom He gave Himself up. These images show a Church that is holy because of Christ, even though her members are sinners who need to be purified.
The Church is also like a sacrament: a sign and instrument of communion with God and of unity among all people. Through her, Christ continues to teach, forgive, heal and feed His people. The Fathers of the Church said the Church was born from the pierced side of Christ on the cross, as Eve was formed from the side of Adam.
You are not a spectator in the Church. Each Sunday you are part of the gathered People of God; in each Communion, members of the Body of Christ receive the Body of Christ. Saint Augustine told new Christians: “Be what you see, and receive what you are.”