With the closing of this chapter, we conclude our series on Atmo Puerorum, focusing on corporeality and grace. In this installment, we will briefly explore the concept of the glorious body, beginning with the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven in body and soul. This event is not only a manifestation of divine love, but also an inauguration of a new way of being human that Jesus presented in his resurrection.
The Resurrection: A New Beginning
The resurrection of Christ, which occurred three days after his death, marked the beginning of a new reality. Jesus, who showed his wounds to his disciples, was not the same, but he was not different either; his glorious body was free from the limitations of space and time. He presented himself in the cenacle without needing to open doors, he knew what was happening around him, he could eat, but he did not need to. This new state of the body is difficult to imagine, and Jesus spent 40 days convincing his followers, who, despite the announcements of his resurrection, needed concrete proof to understand what was happening.
The Relationship between Body and Spirit
In our mortal life, we are a spirit in body mode, depending on the body to know, think, and love. However, after the resurrection, we will be a body in spirit mode. This implies that our glorious body will be able to adapt to the qualities of the spirit, allowing unlimited communication. In contrast, the current human body, although essential, separates us from other experiences and connections.
Christ’s glorious body represents pure communication, a limitless openness. This body was not a mere stage of his existence, but became an essential part of his being, allowing him to be in union with the Father and in the Eucharist.
The Mystery of the Eucharist
The Eucharist, as a miracle of the union of the glorious body of Christ with bread and wine, is fundamental to the Catholic faith. Transubstantiation, a term used by the Magisterium, establishes that the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Christ. Thus, although they maintain the appearance of bread and wine, their essence is totally different.
When Christ says “This is my body,” he establishes a deeply personal and spiritual relationship, similar to that which exists in food and drink. Communion is an experience of identification, where the one who receives Christ becomes one spirit with Him, which transforms the life of the believer.
The Importance of Communion
Communion requires specific conditions: knowing who is being received, being in a state of grace, and fasting for one hour. This personal relationship is not just an act of feeding; it is a profound commitment that transforms the believer, leading him to live with the mind and heart of Christ.
After the consecration, Christ’s glorious body remains in the sacramental species, allowing the faithful to approach Him in the tabernacle, not because He needs it, but because we need it. This commitment of Christ is eternal, and His presence offers us comfort and companionship in our loneliness.
The Assumption of the Virgin Mary
The Assumption of Mary into heaven in a glorious body is a symbol of Christ’s predilection for his mother. This act of glorification reflects love and recognition of divine motherhood. The image of Mary, present in various cultures and traditions, reminds us that we have a mother who loves us and guides us toward eternal life.
Hope in the Resurrection
Finally, the promise of resurrection with a glorious body at the end of time is one of the central hopes of the Christian faith. This resurrection does not imply a mere reconstruction of what we are, but a new creation, a glorious body like that of Christ. Like the Virgin Mary, all believers will share this glory in eternity.
Let us invite others to experience this presence of Christ in our lives and in our communities, recognizing that, in every encounter, in every prayer, we are uniting our lives to his on a journey to heaven.
