The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, "in Scripture, we find a host of interrelated images and figures through which Revelation speaks of the inexhaustible mystery of the Church."   The images taken from the Old Testament are variations on a profound theme: The People of God.   In the New Testament, all these images find a new center because Christ has become the head of his people, which henceforth is his body.   Cf Eph 1:22, Col 1:18.   Around this center are grouped images taken "from the life of the shepherd or from cultivation of the land, from the art of building or from family life and marriage."

      The Catechism explains in fifty-eight pages what the Church is.   Maybe this is like looking at a family photo album to show someone "your family".