Rejoice!

23Apr
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints.

-Colossians 1:24-26


I think we can all agree that at first glance this is a rather bold and odd statement for Paul to make. “I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.” Really? What could be lacking in Christ’s afflictions that you can complete?


Since the Second Sunday of Easter the Daily Office has been taking us through The First Letter of Peter. In this letter Peter speaks several times of enduring various trials and times of suffering, especially for being a Christian in the world. He even states in verse 4:13, “But rejoice in so far as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.” 


The early Christians expected to suffer for their faith and quite often did. They considered it an honor to suffer for Christ. They considered it a matter of sharing in Christ’s sufferings and by doing so were “completing” the suffering of Christ. They were not completing his mission, but completing the mission Christ gave us to carry the good news throughout the world.


This is a rather foreign concept for us in this country. However, our faith may very well be reviled, laughed at, criticized, or ridiculed. My initial reaction to this is to get defensive and argumentative. I should be reminded to consider it an honor to be so identified with Christ that this happens. We serve the living God in Christ, our redeemer, whatever the cost.  


Musical Reflection - O Sacred Neck, Now Wounded - The Porter's Gate

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Joy

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