Loving the Church: Scriptural Meditations for the Papal Household

In these reflections on the Letter to the Ephesians, Fr. Cantalamessa, preacher to the papal household, asks a critical question: How can we read, And Christ loved the Church [Eph. 5:25], without asking the question, And I? Do I love the Church? 

The twentieth century was a time of theological ferment focusing attention on the nature of the Church. But, the author wonders, Was there a proportionate growth in love for the Church? 

Do we love the Church? Do we understand its nature? Do we weep over its sins or merely criticize? Are we building up or tearing down? Fr. Cantalamessa explores the Church as building, body, bride and mother and also examines the family, the domestic church in this inspirational meditation on the meaning of Church for each of us.

RANIERO CANTALAMESSA, O.F.M. Cap., has been the papal preacher to since 1980, serving in that capacity for three popes: John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. He is a former professor of History of early Christianity, head of the department of religious studies at the Catholic University in Milan, member of the International Theological Commission and author of numerous books. He lives in Rome, Italy.