The question of how the Church can be both human and divine touches one of the most beautiful mysteries of faith. Many people see the Church’s human weaknesses—its mistakes, divisions, and sins—and ask how it can still be “holy.” Yet, to understand the Church rightly, we must look at her not only with earthly eyes but also with the eyes of faith.
The Church is human because it is made up of people—men and women who are sinners in need of mercy. From the apostles to us today, the Church walks through history, shaped by culture, time, and human limitation. Her members make mistakes, struggle with faith, and sometimes fail in love. This humanity, however, is not a flaw in God’s plan—it is the very place where His grace chooses to dwell. As St. Paul wrote, “We hold this treasure in jars of clay” (2 Corinthians 4:7), reminding us that the power and glory belong to God, not to us.
Yet the Church is also divine because Christ Himself is its head and the Holy Spirit is its soul. It is not just a human institution or organization; it is the living Body of Christ in the world. When Jesus said to Peter, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church” (Matthew 16:18), He promised that it would endure, not by human strength but by divine life. The sacraments, the Word of God, and the presence of the Spirit make the Church something far greater than any human community—she is the dwelling place of God’s love on earth.
What this means for us is deeply personal. When we encounter the Church, we are meeting both the humanity that mirrors our own and the divinity that lifts us toward heaven. Her human side teaches us compassion and patience; her divine side invites us into holiness and unity with God. Through her, Christ continues His saving work—teaching, healing, forgiving, and sanctifying through fragile human hands.
So when we see the Church’s imperfections, we need not lose heart. God has chosen to work through human weakness so that His grace may shine all the brighter. The Church’s holiness does not come from us—it comes from the One who lives within her.
Let us remember: the Church is holy not because her members are perfect, but because Christ is. In her humanity, we see ourselves; in her divinity, we meet God’s mercy reaching down to lift us up.
— Fr. John Matthew, for Christian Way
