In the age of consumerism the main question it seems we ask is “what can the Church do for me?” Certainly, the Church will hopefully do a great deal for us in helping us grow and keeping us strong in our faith and spiritually healthy! But the problem with this question, when asked from a consumer point of view, is that it gives the wrong impression that the Church is simply an institution that provides goods and services. If it provides what I need, then great, but if not I will just look elsewhere to get me needs met. But, this is a very faulty conception of what the Church is and how it works. It is so much more that an institution that dispenses goods. That makes the Church something that is separate from me - beyond me. Rather, the Church is “me” together with all the other Christians. The Church is ultimately not an organization but an organism, of which I make up one of its component parts! The Church is, therefore, something I am integrally a part of - like the hand is part of the body, as Paul teaches.
