Although the terms are not used much these days the Church has been traditionally divided into three parts. The Church Triumphant refers to the souls in Heaven; they have triumphed over sin and wickedness and enjoy the beatific vision that is God. They have won the fight.
The Church Suffering describes the souls in purgatory, still working out their salvation as their sins are purged. For them the fight has become an inward struggle with themselves.
Then there is the Church Militant, the souls here on earth still united to their physical bodies, for us the fight continues.
We are at war, and the Earth is a spiritual battlefield. The object of the war is to redeem a fallen world. We, the members of the Church, are the physical body of Christ in the world, united under His vicar, the Pope.
Jesus tells us that the Gates of the netherworld will not prevail against the Church. Remember that gates do not attack; they defend. Jesus did not build a Church that sits passively behind a shield of faith while the enemy pounds away. The Church has a mission. It is an active force in the world. The Church takes the battle to the enemy, and the gates of hell will not be able to withstand the force of the Church.
As soldiers in this battle, we should not become frustrated when we are attacked. We should expect it and fight back. And God Himself has assured us of our victory.
Pax Vobiscum
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Christ the Warrior, a 6th century mosaic from Ravenna, Italy, by an unknown artist. This is a wonderful example of iconography that we do not see much of these days but desperately need. It is just about as far away from the delicate 19th century images of Christ as you can get.