When we look at the life of Jesus, we see that He never meant for His message to end with His earthly life. His mission was not only to save humanity but also to make that salvation reach every heart through time. That is why He established the Church — not as an institution of power, but as a living body, His own presence continuing in the world through faith, sacraments, and love.
From the very beginning, Jesus gathered disciples around Him. He taught them, prayed with them, and sent them out to preach the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 16:18, He said to Peter, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church.” This was not a symbolic phrase; it was a divine promise — that His truth and grace would remain in the world through a visible community united in His name.
The Church, then, is not something humans invented after Jesus’ death. It is part of His plan for salvation. Through the Church, we receive the sacraments — the tangible ways Jesus continues to touch and heal us. Through her teaching, the Church guards the truth of the Gospel from distortion. And through her communion, we become one body in Christ, sharing in His life and mission.
When Jesus ascended into heaven, He didn’t leave us alone. He sent the Holy Spirit to animate His Church, to guide, strengthen, and sanctify her. The Spirit continues to make Christ present — in the Eucharist, in Scripture, and in every act of love. The Church is the dwelling place of this Spirit, a family where God’s love takes visible form.
To belong to the Church is to be part of something much greater than ourselves — it is to live in the Body of Christ. We don’t walk alone in faith; we walk with brothers and sisters, guided by the Spirit, nourished by grace, and sent into the world to share God’s love.
The Church is Christ’s gift to us — His living heart among us.
May we see her not only as a building or organization, but as a home where heaven quietly touches the earth.
— Fr. John Matthew, for Christian Way
