Fr. Paul D. Scalia: The Ecclesial Body’s Authority

The Acts of the Apostles recounts Saint Paul’s conversion three different times. Some details vary, but one is constant. When Saul of Tarsus, lying on the ground outside Damascus, looks into the blinding light and asks who it is, the response is the same in each telling: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Saul was forever changed by that revelation.

I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Our Lord makes no distinction between himself and his Church. Paul discovered that Christ and His Church are so profoundly one that to persecute the Church is to persecute Christ. He had struck at Christ’s Church and found that he was striking Christ himself. Years later he wrote to the Corinthians, “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27) The doctrine of the Body of Christ was one Paul learned directly and painfully. …

Continue reading >>>>>>>>>>>