Scandals in the Church

 Caryll Houselander

We know perfectly well that there are often scandals in the Church, that despite her pure heart, her children sometimes grow worldly and base and dress her up with tawdry golden garments which they have woven with their blackened and cunning fingers; sometimes we see nothing but ugliness in her. Yet, even so, she can be the refuge and hope of sinners, the joy and hope of Saints, the life and hope of every living creature; and this is because, under this aspect the Church is still Christ, Christ in his Passion, Christ crowned with thorns, his face covered in blood and dirt and the dust of the road on which we flung him down. He still remains the one ultimate irresistible Person.

This is why the Church is sometimes hated – “Wonder not if the world hates you” - sometimes feared; it is the mystery of utter love recognized, if not by the head, at least by the heart.

The Reed of God