Union
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Unlike bodily union where the two eventually separate again, the Lord does not separate from us.
When we remain in a state of grace through prayer and the sacraments, he is eternally present, interiorly with us at every moment. We have become the personal embodiment of the UNION between Christ and the Church, living the experience of St. Paul: “I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me”(Gal 2:20).
In wonder, we recognize that no suffering, tragedy or death will ever be encountered again without him. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, our lives take on an eternal perspective in every aspect of reality. Daily thoughts and gestures are brought into union with the Triune One who loves us, and we are brought into union with one another in one Body, the Church.When the needs, desires and destiny of those who have been given to us, of those who have gone before us, and even of those we simply encounter through the day are brought to him, he becomes the substance of our full engagement in our household, place and circumstances.
Like the authentic union of a Bridegroom and Bride, this “mystical marriage” is the everyday living of a mutual passionate surrender to and for another through uniting with and accomplishing the will of the Father for them.The fruit of this union is an astonishing experience of personal freedom, security, fulfillment and interior peace. Faithful stewardship of this new life with him now becomes our most urgent task and mission within our vocation to love. In union with the Father and Son through the Holy Spirit, we have begun our eternal life within the Communion of Saints here and now.
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- Scriptural Links
- Catechism Links
- Discussion Starter Resources
- Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
- Catechetical Steps Through Union
- Related External Links
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There are many! Have small group members/students find some of their own.
OLD TESTAMENT- The hope of re-union: I will maintain my covenant with you and your descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting pact, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. (Gen 17:7)
- The Union of God and Man: Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
- A Trinitarian Communion: “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.’” (Jn 14:23)
- A Union for the world: “Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” (Jn 15:5)
- Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected/ has become the cornerstone;/ by the Lord has this been done,/ and it is wonderful in our eyes’?/ Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” (Matt 21:42)
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There are many! Following are a few for your consideration:
- The unity of Christ and the Church, head and members of one Body, also implies the distinction of the two within a personal relationship. This aspect is often expressed by the image of bridegroom and bride. The theme of Christ as Bridegroom of the Church was prepared for by the prophets and announced by John the Baptist. The Lord referred to himself as the “bridegroom.” The Apostle speaks of the whole Church and of each of the faithful, members of his Body, as a bride “betrothed” to Christ the Lord so as to become but one spirit with him. The Church is the spotless bride of the spotless Lamb. “Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her.” He has joined her with himself in an everlasting covenant and never stops caring for her as for his own body: This is the whole Christ, head and body, one formed from many . . . whether the head or members speak, it is Christ who speaks. He speaks in his role as the head (ex persona capitis) and in his role as body (ex persona corporis). What does this mean? “The two will become one flesh. This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the Church.” And the Lord himself says in the Gospel: “So they are no longer two, but one flesh.” They are, in fact, two different persons, yet they are one in the conjugal union, . . . as head, he calls himself the bridegroom, as body, he calls himself “bride.” (CCC #796)
- In the communion of saints, “a perennial link of charity exists between the faithful who have already reached their heavenly home, those who are expiating their sins in purgatory and those who are still pilgrims on earth. between them there is, too, an abundant exchange of all good things.” In this wonderful exchange, the holiness of one profits others, well beyond the harm that the sin of one could cause others. Thus recourse to the communion of saints lets the contrite sinner be more promptly and efficaciously purified of the punishments for sin. (CCC #1475)
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- Does an encounter with you offer men and women an encounter with the union between Christ and the Church?
- In what areas do you still struggle with division?
- How has the Presence of Christ in the Church given you strength and peace even in the most divisive circumstances?
- How does your life as a member of the Body of Christ link you with family members and friends who have died?
- What are the gifts you have been personally given to steward through Christ for the benefit of the Body, his Church?
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- Recognition that personal communion with God is only possible through the Incarnation of Jesus Christ.
- Recognition that union is always a complementarity of difference, and leads to a fruitfulness and new life
- Understanding of the Communion of Saints: the Church on earth, the Church being purified, and the Church in heaven
- Recognition that our experience of eternal life begins here and now
- Awareness of the urgent task and mission to proclaim and offer this union to everyone we encounter, reminded of the wisdom of St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the Gospel always; sometimes, use words.”