Just as all roads lead to Rome, many spiritual authors feel that all roads should lead also to transforming union with God which St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross speak of. For example, Fr. Thomas Dubay puts it firmly as follows:(1)

"Our being filled with God is, of course, the reason for everything else in the economy of salvation … the transforming union is likewise the purpose of all else in the Church. The Eucharist itself, the Sacrament of all sacraments, is, according to the word of the Lord, aimed at producing eternal life here on earth. Jesus declares that whoever eats His flesh and drinks His Blood has eternal life. It is a life that is to be abundant, to the full. The fullness is transformation; there is no other. In this Mystical Body of Christ we are to find our fulfillment, not something less. Thus all structures in the Church - institutions, priesthood, curias, chancery offices, books and candles and all else - are aimed at producing this abundance of life, this utter immersion in triune splendor, this transforming union."

Likewise, Ralph Martin states: (2)

"Jesus wants the individuals he has chosen, the institutions he has established, the rituals he has authorized, the teaching he has given all to lead to a deeper, life-giving relationship to him in the power and freedom of the Holy Spirit. They are not ends in themselves; they are pathways and doorways to him or responses to him. When they function as substitutes for personal union with him or as obstacles, it is a grave matter to him."

(1) Fr. Thomas Dubay, S.M., Fire Within (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1989) pp.196-197.

(2) Ralph Martin, The Catholic Church at the End of an Age: What Is the Spirit Saying? (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1994) p.149.