Christ is the Head and the Church is the Body
Pope Shenouda III speaks about how God does not want a person to live an individual life separated from others, but wants him to live within the Church as a member connected to the other members. The Church is the Body of Christ, and the Lord Christ is the Head of this Body; therefore, the believer’s life must remain connected to Christ and to his brothers and sisters in the Church. This unity is expressed even in the prayers of the Church, where we pray in the plural form, such as “Our Father who art in heaven” and “Forgive us our sins,” rather than only in the singular form.
Spiritual Message
The Pope emphasizes that Christ is the Head of the Church, and therefore the believer cannot live independently from Him or rely entirely on himself. Just as the members of the body move according to the direction of the head, the believer must submit to Christ’s guidance in his life. One of the most important phrases that a person should continually say is, “What do You want me to do, O Lord?” asking that God’s will should guide his steps and decisions. He also explains that our relationship with Christ is the essential relationship, and that the work of the Holy Spirit in us is connected to Christ’s saving work.
Educational Lesson
The image of the Church as the Body of Christ teaches us that every member has his own role and responsibility, and that the body cannot function properly if every member wants to become the head or interfere in the work of the other members. Therefore, each person should faithfully perform his work in the Church without interfering in the responsibilities of others or wishing to take over their role. At the same time, everyone must remain subject to Christ so that the whole body may work in unity and harmony. The Pope also emphasizes that the one Church should be one in faith, doctrine, thought, spirit, and holy life.
Practical Application
Every believer should feel that he is a true member of the Body of Christ, and that his spiritual life does not concern him alone, but affects the entire Church. When one member suffers, the other members suffer with him, and when one member falls or goes astray, the whole Church cares and prays for him. Therefore, a person should not say, “It has nothing to do with me,” but should serve and work for the benefit of the Church, while remaining within his own responsibility and without interfering in the responsibilities of others. The believer should also remain continually rooted in Christ, because a member cannot live separated from the head, and a branch cannot live separated from the vine.
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