At the moment we were baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we become a member of the Body of Christ, members of His Church. As members of His Body we are not only united with Christ but also with other members of His Body.

Here's a straight-forward, simple question for you. If we wanted to find all the members of Jesus' Body, where would we look? A: on earth. B: in purgatory. C: in heaven. D: in hell. E: a, b, c, d. F: a, b, c. Do you have an answer? If you do, are you comfortable with it? If you're not, go back and re-read your choices.

Here are two hints. Prayer is the primary means of communication between all members of the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ is comprised of the Church militant, the Church suffering, and the Church triumphant.

Once we are baptized into the Body of Christ, we remain a member until we freely choose hell over heaven. "F" is the correct answer to my question. Every member of the Body of Christ can be found on earth, in purgatory, and in heaven. In Jn 15:5, we hear Jesus' promise, "I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because with out me you can do nothing." Every person, whether baptized or unbaptized, whether they acknowledge it or not, is totally dependent on God for all physical and spiritual nourishment. Those who are baptized and recognize their dependence on God are set free to enjoy His gifts, goodness, love, and security.

The Church is the Body of Christ, the union of the faithful on earth, in purgatory, and in heaven. Jesus Christ is the head of His Church. In paragraph 954, the Catechism of the Catholic Church quotes Mt 25:31 and Lumen Gentium (49). This paragraph is entitled "The three states of the Church." It reads, "When the Lord comes in glory, and all His angels with Him, death will be no more and all things will be subject to Him. But at the present time some of His disciples are pilgrims on earth. Others have died and are being purified, while still others are in glory, contemplating in full light, God Himself triune and one, exactly as He is."

The members on earth are the Church militant, the pilgrims doing God's will in preaching, living, and praying the gospel. The members in purgatory are the Church suffering who need the prayers and good works from the Church militant. The members in heaven are the Church triumphant, the blessed who stand in the presence of God and offer their support and love for the Church militant and suffering.

The Catechism (955) assures us that these three groups of the one Body can and do communicate with each other. How? Through Prayer. "So it is that the union of the way farers with the brethren who sleep in the peace of Christ is in no way interrupted, but on the contrary, according to the constant faith of the Church, this union is reinforced by an exchange of spiritual goods." Jesus fosters this communications between the Church on earth, in purgatory, and in heaven through the intercession of the saints, communion with the saints, and communion with the dead.

As a boy growing up Catholic in Saint Louis, Missouri prior to Vatican II, I remember being educated on my faith with the Baltimore Catechism. It used a question and answer format to teach the Catholic faith. I found its approach to teaching quite helpful: ask a question, get an answer. It also used black and red drawings to illustrate its points. When the Baltimore Catechism referred to the baptized on earth, the souls in purgatory, and the blessed in heaven, it called them members of the "Mystical" Body of Christ. The new Catechism continues that beautiful tradition.

Baltimore Catechism question: Through the communion of saints, what can the blessed in heaven do for the souls in purgatory and the faithful on earth?

Baltimore Catechism answer: Through the communion of saints, the blessed in heaven can help the souls in purgatory and the faithful on earth by praying for them.

Baltimore Catechism question: Should the faithful on earth, through the communion of saints, honor the blessed in heaven and pray to them?

Baltimore Catechism answer: The faithful on earth, through the communion of saints, should honor the blessed in heaven and pray to them, because they are worthy of honor and as friends of God will help the faithful on earth.

Baltimore Catechism question: Can the faithful on earth, through the communion of saints, relieve the sufferings of the souls in purgatory?

Baltimore Catechism answer: The faithful on earth, through the communion of saints, can relieve the sufferings of the souls in purgatory by prayer, fasting, and other good works, by indulgences, and by having Masses offered for them.

Baltimore Catechism question: Can the faithful on earth help one another?

Baltimore Catechism answer: The faithful on earth, as members of the Mystical Body of Christ, can help one another by practicing supernatural charity and, especially, by performing the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

For the Christian, it pays to have so many friends, especially, friends in high places.

For more insight read CCC paragraphs 954-62, 2565, 2616, 2634-36, 2647, 2725. Also, pull out your "Catholic" Bible and reference Mt 25:31; Jn 15:5; 1 Cor 12:12-27; Eph 4:11-16; 1 Thess 5:17; 1 Tim 2:5.