“The word catholic (with lowercase c;) comes from the Greek phrase katholou, meaning "on the whole.” The word in English can mean "all-embracing."
There are no similes in the Catholic (with uppercase C) Church.
In Catholic communion the consecrated bread is not like the body of Christ it is the body of Christ.
The blessed wine is not like the blood of Christ it is the blood of Christ.
Your experience of time is not like mine simply because we use the same clock.
After you have reached into the blood of a woman to withdraw her baby (forever separating them)
no one knows your experience just because their hands have done the same.
After you have tasted the agony of a suffering man
the texture of your heart is not now like another’s.
After you have smelled infection
no one can claim they know how you felt when that noise struck your nose.
After you have watched a patient die
no teacher can say, “I know how you felt because my experience was like yours.”
There are no similies in your life.
Only metaphors.
You are not like the body of love.
You are the body of love.
This catholic truth is your all-embracing secret.
-Erie Chapman
Journal of Sacred Work 
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