Body of christ Quote by Ronald Rolheiser
““If a child or a brother or a sister or a loved one of yours strays from the church in terms of faith practice and morality, as long as you continue to love that person, and hold him or her in union and forgiveness, he or she is touching the hem of the garment, is held to the Body of Christ, and is forgiven by God, irrespective of his or her official external relationship to the church and Christian morality. Your touch is Christ’s touch. When you love someone, unless that someone actively rejects your love and forgiveness, she or he is sustained in salvation. And this is true even beyond death. If someone close to you dies in a state which, externally at least, has her or him at odds ecclesially and morally with the visible church, your love and forgiveness will continue to bind that person to the Body of Christ and continue to forgive that individual, even after death. One””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Way of the Heart: Pastoral Care, Spirituality, and the Christian Life, 2002
Continued love and forgiveness keep a person connected to Christ’s body, even if they stray from formal church or die in discord.
In simple terms: Love and forgiveness maintain spiritual bond despite outward separation.
Key Takeaway
Keep loving and forgiving without condition.
Themes
forgiveness
love
salvation
church
spirituality
Mood
compassionate
hopeful
reflective
Type
theological
pastoral
inspirational
When to use this quote
- family conflict
- estranged believers
- death of loved ones
- pastoral counseling
Key Concepts
Christian theology
ecclesiology
grace
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you practice unconditional love?
- What limits exist for forgiveness after death?
A Different Perspective
If the person actively rejects love, the bond may not persist.
