January 20, 2004
The Value of Suffering
Suffering has intrinsic value that helps our salvation. Ultimately, only the Catholic Church can answer the question, “Why do people suffer?” since she is the only one adhering to this philosophy. I’m planning to write a longer post on suffering, but I though this verse was especially good:
Col 1:24-25. Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the divine office which was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known.
A couple of points on the passage. First, notice that his general sufferings help make up what is “lacking in Christ’s afflictions.” Our suffering has value to the world and ourselves – it can actually help us. Notice also that he has a “divine office” in the Church, which sounds more like a well-defined institution rather than an unorganized gathering (what some would have you believe).
As you suffer today, remember to pray that your suffering helps make up for that which is lacking in the sufferings of Christ. Suffering is ultimately redemptive.
God bless,
Jay
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I've been pondering your statement that in our sufferings we are making up 'what is "lacking in Christ's afflictions"'. I agree that our sufferings have immense value to God not only on our own behalf but on the behalf of others as well. However, I have yet to reconcile the two seemingly (but not) contradictory statements:
1. Christ's afflictions are lacking
2. Christ suffering the very Justice of the Father on our behalf is completed via the Cross.
Thoughts?
Posted by: savrx at January 20, 2004 05:22 PMIn Christ's afflictions, He embraces us. In our own afflictions, we embrace Him.
Posted by: Tom at January 21, 2004 12:15 PMTrue Tom, but that doesn't indicate 1) exactly what is lacking about Christ's afflictions, and 2) how those things that are lacking weren't completed on the Cross.
Posted by: savrx at January 22, 2004 01:13 PMSavrx and Tom,
I'm working on a suffering article and reading Salvifici Doloris or On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering, the Apostolic Letter by Pope John Paul II. In it I think he answers this question well:
For, whoever suffers in union with Christ - just as the Apostle Paul bears his "tribulations" in union with Christ - not only receives from Christ that strength already referred to but also "completes" by his suffering "what is lacking in Christ's afflictions." This evangelical outlook especially highlights the truth concerning the creative character of suffering. The sufferings of Christ created the good of the world's Redemption. This good in itself is inexhaustible and infinite. No man can add anything to it. But at the same time, in the mystery of the Church as His Body, Christ has in a sense opened His own redemptive suffering to all human suffering. Insofar as man becomes a sharer in Christ's sufferings - in any part of the world and at any time in history - to that extent he in his own way completes the suffering through which Christ accomplished the Redemption of the world.
Does this mean that the Redemption achieved by Christ is not complete? No. It only means that the Redemption, accomplished through satisfactory love, remains always open to all love expressed in human suffering. In this dimension - the dimension of love - the Redemption which has already been completely accomplished is, in a certain sense, constantly being accomplished. Christ achieved the Redemption completely and to the very limit; but at the same time He did not bring it to a close. In this redemptive suffering, through which the Redemption of the world was accomplished, Christ opened Himself from the beginning to every human suffering and constantly does so. Yes, it seems to be part of the very essence of Christ's redemptive suffering that this suffering requires to be unceasingly completed.
This book is so good, it was tough to pick a short quote, but this answers the question well. I highly recommend taking the time to read this work - it is extremely eye-opening.
God bless,
Jay
Thanks for the postings, guys. I'm a former Protestant in the process of reconciling to the Church. I was at a seminar with Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Mitch Pacwa, and Jeff Cavins this weekend, and Dr. Hahn referred to this verse. He kept saying that our sufferings have "redemptive value." This seems like a bit of an overstatement... but so does Col. 1:24.
My thought is that perhaps our sufferings have value to the same extent our faith and works have redemptive value. That is to say that although Christ's work was completed on the cross, he does not force us to accept his sacrifice. Our acceptance is manifested in our faith, works, and sufferings, thus perfecting (or completing, or making applicable) redemption in us personally.
Our sufferings have further value of a purifying (rather than redemptive) nature in that they discipline our souls to more accurately reflect the character of Christ (as is the case with purgation). Any thoughts on this perspective?
Posted by: Dave at January 27, 2004 10:18 AMI heard an interesting comment on this verse on Catholic radio this morning. The Bishop indicated that we are unified in the most complete and mystical way to Christ. As such, everything that he has is ours also. That includes his suffering. If we do not suffer, we are illegitimate children. What is lacking is not in the fullness of Christ's suffering, but rather in the joinder of ourselves to Christ. Thus, by our sufferings, we take on the very image of Christ, making His sufferings complete in us, and causing the two (Christ and Church) to become one. Again, any thoughts?
In Christ,
Dave
Whatever is lacking in Jesus' sufferings is lacking because... He wills it!
Another instance of his supreme humility!
He allows us to somehow participate in our own salvation, no that He needs it, He wills it...
It's like "ask, and you shall be given; search, and you shall find; knock at the door, and it shall be opened"... in all these instances Salvation appears -certainly- as a free gift, but a gift that must be desired, accepted, searched for... a gift were the receiver must have some participation... the participation of acceptance!
He won't come in unless you allow Him to:
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine ..." (Rev.3:20-21)
SALVATION IS A GIFT... BUT MUST BE ACCEPTED, NOT REJECTED. Both, God and man, are part of it.
NO ONE IS SAVED AGAINST HIS WILL,
AND NO ONE IS DAMNED BY ACCIDENT!
Col 1:24-25. Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the divine office which was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known.
First thoughts: as a subset of human suffering in general, how could sufferings that Christians willingly endure for love of Jesus not also have been offered to the Father from the Cross, an offering that transcends time and includes all members of His mystical Body? He made our sufferings His own, thereby perfecting them, and offered them once, as He could only die once, for all who would be saved. In the mystery of God’s economy of salvation, it is our place then to accept them when they come in time, even as a loving duty, as our particular shares in the passion, and in this way "complete" the only thing that is "lacking" in Christ's suffering, namely, our willing acceptance of our part in what has already been given to the Father! That some Christians would decline to accept what isn’t seen as a gift of and call to complete identification with Christ crucified helps explain why others bear the stigmata, “for the sake of His body, that is, the church.”
In referencing the above quote from Salvifici Doloris by Pope John Paul II, my understanding, and Paul's, remains specific to the needs of the church, and would include those who would yet become Christian, while Pope John Paul II's understanding includes all human suffering that is borne with love, and in this broader perspective allows for the salvation of those who will never become Christian.
Love is a work of grace, since human nature is itself graced, and obedience to its demands is a "Yes" to God, the source of all grace and the One to Whom all must render an account. We answer to God only for the light of understanding and merciful instinct that has been given to us. From him to whom much has been given, much will be expected. To the degree that Paul could become Christ crucified, he did, not that he sought out suffering, but that he accepted it when it came as a means of grace and salvation for others.
Posted by: Michael at September 8, 2006 05:50 AM
