“Rejoicing in my sufferings…”???

Some people may be turned off and be angry with this statement from St. Paul addressed to the Christians of Colossae. It would also sound insulting. It says, “l 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” (Col 1:24).

It would be so if sufferings are considered as punishment due to sin. But this not what St. Paul meant.

From the perspective of salvation history brought about by Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection, it is considered a special grace to share in the suffering of Jesus on the cross and in everyone with whom He suffers. Being allowed to suffer is being given the gift of sharing in this mystery. This is because Christ’s suffering has the power to heal the various wounds of sin.

St. Peter confirms this by saying, “This is your calling: remember Christ who suffered for you, leaving you an example so that you may follow in his way. He did no wrong and there was no deceit in his mouth. He did not return insult for insult and, when suffering, he did not curse but put himself in the hands of God who judges justly. He went to the cross burdened with our sins so that we might die to sin and live an upright life. For by his wounds you have been healed” (2 Pet 2:21-24).