Rejoicing in Knowing that What We Endure Brings about a Good for Others

In today's first reading, Colossians 1: 24-2:3, St. Paul tells the Colossians that he is rejoicing  in the sufferings that he is undergoing for their sake.  Sounds like parents who are  filled with joy that the sufferings that they are enduring will result in their children growing up in the faith, will empower their children to make good choices and, in turn, become good parents and good providers for their own children,.  Nothing, then, is too much for a parent to endure! 

That is God for us! Nothing, absolutely nothing, is or was too much for Jesus to endure for our sake. That was true for the Son of Man, God incarnate, who as a man lived in Capernaum for a time and is true for Jesus now.  Christ lives in us--that is the mystery Paul is talking about in this passage to the Colossians.  The fact that Christ lives in us means that whatever suffering we are going through Christ also is enduring for our sake and the sake of the Church yet to be borne into eternal life.

"[W]hat is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of ...the Church" is what Paul states he is filling up in his flesh.  That suffering Jesus in filling up by His dwelling within us and suffering what we are suffering, thus transforming such into redemptive graces for ourselves and the whole Church.

Furthermore, St. Paul says "I am a minister in accordance with God's stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God."  The word of God is sent to us to bring about the purpose for which God sent it, our salvation.  Paul worked slavishly for the Colossians, and all to whom God sent him, so that they would come to Jesus, believe in Jesus and carry out Jesus' plan of salvation for them.  So, too, does Christ come to us in the sacraments, in the Scriptures and in the good works we do--all meant to bring about our salvation and open the gates of heaven for us in Christ Jesus and through Christ Jesus and for Christ Jesus, who loves us unconditionally and acts continuously for us to know and accomplish His Father's will!