“I REJOICE IN MY SUFFERINGS FOR YOUR SAKE” (Col 1:24)

⏰Monday of the Twenty-Third Week of Ordinary Time 1 (11 Sept. 2017)

????Col 1:24 – 2:3; Ps 62:6-7, 9 (R.v.8a); Luke 6:6-11

As I listened to Paul in Col 1:24 – 2:3, I began to reflect again on my response to God’s invitation to be his disciple and a minister among the so many disciples. Am I a servant-leader after the mind of Christ or am I a comfort-seeker?

Jesus said in Matt 16:24, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” This reflected well in early missionaries who evangelized our people and their early converts. They suffered all kinds of hardship, rode on cycles, lived in evil forests and died of malaria.

What happens these days? We seek to live in most beautiful houses, drive exotic cars, look for an already completed Church where we can work and worship. Discipleship has suddenly become for comfort without the cross. This is why many pastors deceive many comfort seekers with fake miracles in order to attract them.

St. Paul rejoiced because he was suffering for the sake of Christ and his body, the Church (cf. Col 1:24 – 2:3). In contrast, the Pharisees became sad when Jesus healed for the good of a suffering member of the community, all because of the law (cf. Luke 6:6-11). That is despite the fact that they also seek so much comfort and affluence (cf. Matt 23:1-7).

Where do you belong? In the Pauline camp or in the Pharisees’ camp?

In this new working week, may God grant us the courage to embrace the Pauline way and derive our joy from the crucified Christ rather than the material world. And as we do so, may he bless us and provide all our needs both materially and spiritually, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

I wish you a smooth running and very joyous new working week. Peace be with you.