In today’s first reading, Saint Paul, writing to Timothy, speaks of the Church as the pillar and mainstay of truth. Now, my brothers and sisters, how often do our Protestant brothers and sisters challenge us on the question of authority—by what authority are we led? Many of them will say that it is the Bible alone, that only the Scriptures can be held as our authority. Of course, the Word of God is indeed authoritative; that goes without saying. But we also know that Jesus established a living Church: a hierarchy, an authority in this world to guide us.