The Catechism describes the Church as both the ?means and the goal of God?s plan? of communion. The word itself means a convocation or assembly (Latin ecclesia, from the Greek ek-ka-lein, to ?call out of?).
In the Old Testament, ekklesia designated the assembly of the Chosen People, especially on Mt. Sinai where Israel received the Ten Commandments and was established by God as a holy people. The early Christian community adopted the name because it recognized itself ?as heir to that assembly.? In terms of Christian usage, the word ?church? has three inseparable meanings: the liturgical assembly, the local community and the whole universal community of believers.
Origin, foundation, and mission
God, the Father, created the world for the sake of communion, a communion brought about by the ?convocation? of people in Christ, or the Church. The Church then is ?the goal of all things? that was prepared for in the Old Testament and instituted by Christ in his work of accomplishing the Father?s plan of salvation in the ?fullness of time.?
The Church ?is the reign of Christ already present in mystery.? It is a kingdom that is presented to all humanity in word, in deed, and in the presence of Christ. It is ?born primarily of Christ?s total self-giving for our salvation, anticipated in the institution of the Eucharist and fulfilled on the cross.?
On Pentecost, the Church was revealed to the crowds and the work of spreading the Gospel throughout the world began. ?... The Church in her very nature is missionary, sent by Christ to all the nations to make disciples of them.?
However, the Church is also ultimately a mystery
