Christ Alive in Me: Living as a Member of the Mystical Body

“It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me.”—Galatians 2:20

Giving God permission to dwell within us, thereby transforming us into another incarnate son or daughter, has been at the heart of the Christian Gospel for millennia. It is not just one theological doctrine among many; it is the ultimate goal of the entire Christian life. The only goal in God’s becoming human is to continue his life in ours.

In Christ Alive in Me: Living as a Member of the Mystical Body, Fr. David Meconi, S.J., explains the theology of Christian deification, which is also the theology of the Mystical Body of Christ. Although this radical aspect of the Gospel has been forgotten by many today, Meconi seeks to reclaim this central truth and uncover what it means live with, in, and even “as” Christ.

Discover what it is to become other Christs, living extensions of the Lord himself: to become his eyes and ears, his heart and words, his hands and feet on earth.

 

Fr. David Meconi, S.J., is the Director of the Catholic Studies Centre at Saint Louis University. He holds the Pontifical License in Greek and Latin Patrology from the University of Innsbruck in Austria and the D. Phil (Oxon.) in Ecclesiastical History from Oxford University. He specializes in early Christian theology and the works of the Latin Church Fathers in particular.

 

“This book conveys the essence of the Catholic Gospel with clarity, power, and practical insight. Too many people make too little of the truth that we actually become—and grow up—as members of Christ’s Mystical Body. Our salvation is more than forgiveness, or even healing. Christ comes to share our human nature—and empower us to share his divine nature (2 Pet 1:4). Only God could do this. The good news is Christ does this. Highly recommended.”

Scott Hahn, Father Michael Scanlan, T.O.R., Chair of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization, Franciscan University of Steubenville

 

“In this new book Fr. Meconi brings the fruit of his years of study and life together in a very accessible manner. He knows that the purpose of our life is nothing less than union with God and the purpose of his life has become helping the rest of us realize this. Thanks be to God!”

Ralph Martin, Director of Graduate Theology Programs in the New Evangelization, Sacred Heart Major Seminary

 

“‘We are called to receive Christ so as to become him, and this alone will determine our eternal destinies.’ With this one pithy sentence Fr. Meconi gets to the very core of our Catholic faith. To be a Catholic is to participate in the life and love of the Holy Trinity. In this time of confusion, fear, and despair, Fr. Meconi’s account of the ongoing Incarnation is inspiring, hopeful, and stylistically worthy of a Chesterton or James Schall, S.J. It would be a great blessing for the Church if this book were to be widely read as the antidote to so many of our pastoral problems.”

Tracey Rowland, University of Notre Dame (Australia)

 

“In this masterful work, the reader is initiated into the language of deification in the Christian tradition. . . . In reality, this book is not just a study of a specific doctrine or teaching. It is an introduction to the whole Christian life.”

Timothy P. O’Malley, Director of Online Education, McGrath Institute for Church Life, University of Notre Dame