>

"The Whole Christ,"

and the Drama of Truth

God's Creation and the men and women populating it cannot help but offer us a picture of unpredictable activity. For each and every new moment of its history is in many respects unique, and not some mere monotonous repetition of what has gone before it-especially given the reality of the free will possessed by each human person. This is even more true of the Mystical Body of Christ-what St. Augustine calls "the Whole Christ"-a Body marching through history with the incomparable regenerative and transforming power given it by supernatural revelation and grace, and yet all of the problems of a fallen mankind that that revelation and grace must be used to overcome until the end of time.

When looked at both as a whole, as well as in the actions of each and every one of its individual members, the history of this sole truly new and truly unique force in the life of the world since the first days of Creation inevitably provides its students with unpredictable developments. It provides those reading its tale with examples of a glorious, awe-inspiring growth in its self-knowledge and holy activity, but mixed-alas!-with all too many instances of the tragic self-deception, backsliding, and scandalous behavior that comes with the constant danger of individual human sinfulness.

May the tales of fall and recovery inspire those reading this volume to join in a holy crusade for a recovery and increased appreciation of the fullness of the Church's supernatural wisdom; for a renewed commitment to saintly work for transformation of all things in Christ in an era devastated more than ever before by diabolical disorientation.