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Office Of Readings | Thursday, Lent Week 5 | A Reading From ‘Lumen Gentium’, The Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution On The Church
‘The Church, the visible sacrament of saving unity.’
This powerful text from Lumen Gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church from the Second Vatican Council, invites us to reflect on who the Church truly is — not just what she does or how she’s organized, but her deepest identity as the people of God, drawn together by grace, and sent into the world to be a sign of unity and an instrument of salvation.
A Covenant Written In The Heart
The reading opens by recalling the words of the prophet Jeremiah, who foretells a time when God will make a new covenant with His people — one not based on external law, but on an inward transformation: ‘I will plant my law within them and inscribe it in their hearts.’ This prophecy finds its fulfilment in Jesus Christ, who establishes a new covenant not written on tablets of stone but in the very hearts of those who believe, through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
This is a covenant that brings about not just personal transformation but a new community. Christ, through his death and resurrection, brings into being a new people — not defined by ethnic or national identity, but by faith. Whether Jew or Gentile, all who are born ‘not from the flesh but from water and the Holy Spirit’ become part of this messianic people, the Church.
The Church: A New People Of God
One of the central insights of Lumen Gentium is that the Church is first and foremost a people — the new People of God. This isn’t simply a metaphor. Just as ancient Israel was chosen and called into a covenant relationship with God, the Church is chosen and called in Christ. Her members are described in the language of Scripture: ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation’ (1 Peter 2:9).
What sets this people apart is not privilege or superiority, but their calling to witness to God’s love in the world. They are marked by a dignity that comes from their identity as children of God. And they are empowered by the Holy Spirit, who dwells within them not just individually, but collectively — making the Church a temple of the living God.
At the heart of their way of life is the commandment Jesus gave at the Last Supper: ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ This is not a general encouragement to kindness; it is a radical call to self-giving love — the kind of love Christ demonstrated on the Cross. This is the law written on the heart in the new covenant, and it is the heart of the Church’s identity.
A Pilgrim People Moving Toward The Kingdom
The Church, this new People of God, does not yet live in the fullness of what she is called to be. She is on pilgrimage — journeying through the history of the world, moving toward the fullness of God’s kingdom. That kingdom, Lumen Gentium reminds us, has already begun on earth, but it will only be completed when Christ comes again in glory. In the meantime, the Church lives in hope.
This hope is not passive. It is deeply active. The Church is called to be a sign of the kingdom’s coming — to live now in such a way that her life points toward what God desires for all creation: unity, justice, peace, and love. Even though the Church may often appear small — ‘a tiny flock’ — she carries within herself the promise of something far greater: a new heaven and a new earth.
The Church As Sacrament
One of the most striking and beautiful teachings of this passage is that the Church is ‘the visible sacrament’ of unity and salvation. A sacrament, in the Catholic tradition, is a visible sign of invisible grace — a concrete reality that makes God’s presence real in the world. When the Council calls the Church a sacrament, it means she is not just a human organization or a spiritual club, but a living sign that reveals God’s intention to draw all people to Himself.
This doesn’t mean the Church is perfect. She is made up of sinners, still journeying, still being purified. But despite her flaws, she is the instrument Christ has chosen to reach the world. Through her preaching, her sacraments, her witness of service and charity, the Church carries out the mission Christ gave her: to be light for the world and salt for the earth.
Jesus Christ: Source And Goal Of The Church’s Life
At every step, the Church remains rooted in Christ. Jesus is her head. He is the one who ‘purchased’ her with his own blood. He fills her with his Spirit and gives her all that she needs to live out her calling. Christ is the source of her unity, her peace, her mission, and her hope.
To say the Church is a ‘sacrament of unity’ is to say that Christ continues, through her, to draw humanity together — across every line of division — into one people. And to say she is a ‘sacrament of salvation’ is to say that through her, Christ continues to offer his grace to the world.
A Reading From Lumen Gentium, The Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution On The Church
See, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah… I will plant my law within them and inscribe it in their hearts. I will be their God and they shall be my people… All shall know me, from the least to the greatest, says the Lord.
It was Christ who established this new covenant, the new testament in his blood, calling into being, from Jews and Gentiles, a people that was to form a unity, not in human fashion but in the Spirit, as the new people of God. Those who believe in Christ, reborn not of corruptible but of incorruptible seed through the word of the living God, not from the flesh but from water and the Holy Spirit, are constituted in the fullness of time as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people God has made his own…, once no people but now the people of God.
This messianic people has Christ as its head: Christ who was given up for our sins and rose again for our justification; bearing now the name that is above every name, he reigns in glory in heaven. His people enjoy the dignity and freedom of the children of God, in whose hearts the Holy Spirit dwells as in a temple. They have as their law the new commandment of loving as Christ himself has loved us. They have as their goal the kingdom of God, begun on earth by God himself and destined to grow until it is also brought to perfection by him at the end of time, when Christ, our life, will appear, and creation itself will be freed from slavery to corruption and take on the freedom of the glory of God’s children.
This messianic people, then, though it does not in fact embrace all mankind and often seems to be a tiny flock, is yet the enduring source of unity, hope and salvation for the whole human race. It is established by Christ as a communion of life, of love and of truth; it is also used by him as an instrument for the redemption of all, and is sent out into the whole world as the light of the world and the salt of the earth.
The Israel of old was already called the Church of God while it was on pilgrimage through the desert. So the new Israel, as it makes its way in this present age, seeking a city that is to come, a city that will remain, is also known as the Church of Christ, for he acquired it by his own blood, filled it with his Spirit, and equipped it with appropriate means to be a visible and social unity. God has called together the assembly of those who in faith look on Jesus, the author of salvation and the principle of unity and peace, and so has established the Church to be for each and all the visible sacrament of this unity which brings with it salvation.
Saint Gregory’s theology is deeply shaped by the Eastern Christian doctrine of theosis, or divinisation. For Gregory, salvation is not merely juridical or moral but ontological: to be saved is to become by grace what Christ is by nature. When Gregory writes that Christians must examine their thoughts, words, and deeds to see whether they are ‘directed toward Christ’, he is describing a dynamic process of transformation. This process, which begins in baptism and continues throughout life, involves increasing conformity to the divine image. In this sense, Christian perfection is not a static achievement but an unending ascent towards God, as expressed in his Life of Moses [ … ]
John 4:13-14 (KJV) ‘Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.’ Introduction to the Life of Saint Bernadette Saint Bernadette Soubirous, a humble peasant girl from Lourdes, France, lived her life of faith, humility, and divine grace. Born on January 7, 1844, in the small town of Lourdes, Bernadette was the eldest of nine children in a poor and struggling family. Her father, François Soubirous, was a miller, and her mother, Louise, a laundress. The family lived in a former prison cell known as the Cachot, a damp and cramped space, according to their dire financial situation. Despite their poverty, the Soubirous family was deeply rooted in their Christian faith, a foundation that would profoundly shape Bernadette’s life and spiritual journey. Bernadette’s early years were marked by significant health challenges. She suffered from asthma and other respiratory ailments, which often left her weak and unable to attend school regularly. This lack of formal education meant that Bernadette struggled with reading and writing, and her understanding of Christian doctrine was limited. Nevertheless, she possessed a remarkable simplicity and purity of heart, qualities that would make her an ideal recipient of divine revelations. Bernadette’s life changed irrevocably on February 11, 1858, when she experienced the first of eighteen apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the grotto of Massabielle. On that cold winter day, Bernadette, her sister Toinette, and a friend were gathering firewood near the grotto when she heard a rustling sound and saw a beautiful lady dressed in white with a blue sash, holding a rosary. The lady, who later identified herself as the Immaculate Conception, appeared to Bernadette over the course of several months, delivering messages of penance, prayer, and the need for a chapel to be built at the site. Despite initial skepticism from her family and the local authorities, Bernadette remained steadfast in her account of the apparitions, enduring intense scrutiny and even ridicule. The apparitions drew enormous attention. Soon, people from all over France and beyond began to visit Lourdes, hoping to witness a miracle. One of the most significant messages conveyed by the Virgin Mary to Bernadette was the instruction to dig in the ground near the grotto, which led to the discovery of a spring. This spring, believed to have healing properties, became the focal point of the pilgrimage to Lourdes. Many miraculous healings have been attributed to the waters of Lourdes, reinforcing the belief in Bernadette’s visions and the sanctity of the site. As the apparitions concluded, Bernadette’s life took a different turn. In 1866, she joined the Sisters of Charity in Nevers, taking the name Sister Marie-Bernard. Her time in the convent was marked by continued poor health and humility, as she carried out menial tasks and lived a life of quiet service. Despite her physical suffering, Bernadette remained devout and accepted her hardships with grace, often repeating the phrase, “I am happier here in my little corner of the convent.” Her unwavering faith and dedication to her religious duties exemplified the depth of her spiritual commitment. Bernadette Soubirous passed away on April 16, 1879, at the age of 35, after a prolonged battle with tuberculosis. Her legacy, however, endured far beyond her earthly life. In 1933, she was canonized as a saint by Pope Pius XI, recognized for her humility, faith, and the miraculous events associated with her life. Today, millions of pilgrims flock to Lourdes each year, seeking spiritual renewal and physical healing at the site of her visions. Saint Bernadette’s life continues to inspire countless individuals around the world, reminding us of the power of faith, the virtue of humility, and the enduring presence of divine grace in our lives. To Visit Lourdes Visiting Lourdes, in the picturesque foothills of the Pyrenees in southwestern France, is an experience that transcends the physical journey, drawing pilgrims into a profound spiritual adventure. The small town, known for the Marian apparitions witnessed by Saint Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, has become one of the world’s most revered pilgrimage sites. As we approach the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, the atmosphere is imbued with a palpable sense of reverence and anticipation. The grand basilicas, the tranquil Grotto of Massabielle and the gently flowing waters of the miraculous spring together create a sacred environment that invites reflection, prayer, and a deep connection with the divine. The focal point of any visit to Lourdes is the Grotto, where Bernadette experienced the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Here, pilgrims can touch the rock face, light candles, and drink or bathe in the spring’s water, believed to possess healing properties. The profound silence and sense of sacredness at the Grotto allow visitors to contemplate their faith, seek solace and find spiritual renewal. The Rosary Basilica, with its mosaics, and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, perched above the Grotto, offer spaces for communal worship and personal meditation. The nightly candlelight processions, where pilgrims from around the globe unite in prayer and song, highlight the universal bond of faith and hope that Lourdes represents. Beyond its physical beauty and historical significance, visiting Lourdes offers a deeply personal and transformative experience. Pilgrims often arrive burdened with ailments, grief, or spiritual crises, seeking comfort and miracles. The stories of healing and faith that emerge from Lourdes are testimonies to the enduring power of belief and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The communal aspect of the pilgrimage—sharing meals, prayers, and stories with fellow believers—fosters a sense of solidarity and mutual support. For many, the visit to Lourdes is a journey of healing, not only of the body but also of the soul, providing a renewed sense of purpose, peace, and spiritual clarity that lingers long after returning home. Prayer With Saint Bernadette Prayer for Intercession Dear […]
The psalmist stands amidst challenges. He seeks a source of strength and refuge. He shares an account of encountering God amidst life’s adversities. From the outset, he establishes a bond with the divine rooted in trust, an anchor that steadies him in life’s tempests. Through imagery as sturdy as a rock and as secure as a fortress, God is portrayed as a source of strength [ … ]
