Body of Christ

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There are a plurality of meanings attached to this phrase. Some discussion may help us to appreciate the many faceted significance of the concept of Eucharistic sacrifice.

In its literal sense of course, Christ's body was his personal being-in-the-world nineteen centuries ago, the incarnation of the Word in the career of Jesus of Nazareth. This body is no longer with us or accessible to us in a direct way.

The Body of Christ is also the sacramental host that now re-presents him in the Eucharist, that is offered to God, broken, and distributed to the worshippers.

Finally, the Body of Christ is the worshipping community itself, incorporated into Christ in their baptism, bound more closely to him in confirmation, and now being steadily transformed to him by their participation in the Eucharist.

It is the first, the actual historical body that generates and gives meaning to the other two. All three together, in a Living unity teach us the fullness of what is intended by the 'Body of Christ'.