St. Paul wrestled with the great crisis in the early church — how to integrate Jews and non-Jews into “one body.” He believed and taught that such unity was possible when it is founded on Christ. Christ “is our peace, he made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity.” What seemed like an insurmountable problem was overcome by faith in Jesus. The Church of today seems beset by intractable problems as well. How do we heal the wounds caused by priests who abuse? What can we do to ensure that women assume their rightful place in the Church? The answer today is the same as it was for St. Paul — have a firm reliance on “Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.”
