I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake,
and in my flesh I am filling up
what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ
on behalf of his Body, which is the Church
What is lacking in the sufferings of Christ? Nothing! So what does this mean? It means we participate with our sufferings in the sufferings of Christ. But this is deep. We do not just suffer, and then, through a transaction, deposit those in an account, have them relabeled as Christ's sufferings, and therefore given value. No! This is a mystery of union!
it is Christ in you, the hope for glory.
In our suffering we are united to Jesus! It is because of this union, which may or may not include experience, but which nevertheless happens, our sufferings have immense value. We are free to offer them for the Church and the world! When we do we experience the fruits of union with Jesus. This is true even though suffering is offered in what are often very dark times where we experience dryness and little sense of consolation from God. The offering is still approved. The fruit is still borne.
Interestingly, we don't always have to keep this as a secret where our left hand does not know what the right hand is doing. We don't necessarily lose our reward. What matters is our motivation when we tell others about it.
For I want you to know how great a struggle I am having for you
and for those in Laodicea
Paul has a good reason to share this. He is not doing it for sympathy or to make them feel guilty.
that their hearts may be encouraged
as they are brought together in love,
to have all the richness of assured understanding,
for the knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ,
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
It helps other people to know that they are loved. It helps other people by way of example. It points the way to the union with Christ to which all of us are called.
We must always be most concerned with doing good deeds prepared for us by God. This should be our interpretative framework for all the rules we know.
"I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath
rather than to do evil,
to save life rather than to destroy it?"
Let us not hold back healing when we are able to give it. Let us not hold back love when the world withers without it.
Looking around at them all, he then said to him,
"Stretch out your hand."
He did so and his hand was restored.
Nothing can separate us from this love once it takes hold of us. So let us share it!
Only in God be at rest, my soul,
for from him comes my hope.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed.
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