PARTICIPANTS in REDEMPTION

 

By our baptism we are made children of God and beneficiaries of God’s promise, fulfilled in Christ. We are transformed into a new creation, that is, the Body of Christ. As Children of God and members of the Body of Christ we share intimately in Christ’s suffering death and resurrection. Our dignity is raised to a supernatural level as we are permitted to participate in our own redemption through union with God.

 

 

A much debated verse; a powerful witness.  We find here, as we often do in the Pauline Epistles, the saint rejoicing in his suffering. Not as a masochist – but for the sake of those who will come to believe and who will be strengthened in their faith.  Paul, and all who suffer,  is sharing in the very life of Christ, and not just any part of his life, but that which gained for us our redemption – that which manifests to us His great Love. We begin to see, finally, what St. Paul means when he says suffering FOR Christ…not only indirectly offering pains, but taking part in Christ’s own suffering. Otherwise, our suffering would not be a cause of rejoicing, it could not be redemptive, because only that which has its source and summit in the Mystery of Redemption is, well, redemptive.  But also, suffering FOR Christ is to suffer FOR the Church, that is each of its members in order to fulfill those offerings that are not being given, to suffer on behalf of brothers and sisters.  It is a full sharing, not a buying of one’s own salvation, but a humbling participation in Redemption as God wills it.

 

 

Chained, abandoned, and degraded, St. Paul must turn to the source of hope for all who suffer – the Resurrection of Christ. Suffering is not pleasant, even if it may be a cause of rejoicing as a child of God drawn into His most Merciful Hours.  Suffering is real, and difficult, and St. Paul is aware of this. More than once he enumerates his great sufferings (cf 2 Corinthians 11:23-29), a man worn and beaten by men and nature alike. Yet, what seems to pain him the most is being abandoned. However, looking forward to the resurrection, sure that he will indeed rise with Christ, He can continue to offer everything for the salvation of souls – as always – in Christ Jesus. In offering this sacrifice, He looks forward to attaining eternal glory – the resurrection – not only for himself but also for others.

 

Here St. Paul continues … “be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” (vs2) Therefore, it is an immediate reference to spiritual purification.  Yet, Christ the High Priest, offers his body – his entire self – as a living sacrifice for our redemption. He goes on to explain in the following verses that we all have particular gifts and callings, and so each sacrifice will be different. Yet, all are called to conform themselves to Christ, the high priest, in order to give worship/adoration to God. Why else would this be pleasing, but that it is a sharing in His mercy?