Father Mike Schmitz

What's lacking in Christ's afflictions?

And the answer is nothing.

They are sufficient for our redemption.

John Paul II, he's talked about this and he said, no, no, there's nothing lacking in the sufferings of Christ, but that you and I might be able to participate in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ in this world.

Christ extends to us a particle of his cross that we might bear it with him.

And that's what Paul is writing about here.

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.

And that's one of the points of suffering that has been redeemed.

It's been transformed that when we suffer in Christ, we participate in the redemption of the world.

Again, not because his suffering was insufficient.

It was completely sufficient.

Jesus Christ suffered once for all.

but that you and I might have the honor, the dignity, the privilege of participating in his redeeming work.

Jesus Christ offers us, he gives us a share, a particle of his cross that we might participate in his work of redemption, which is just incredible.

And that's the truth that we just need to recognize, especially for those of us who suffer, for those of us who find ourselves in places of deep and profound suffering.

We might not know why this is happening, but we do know what to do with it.

to unite it to Christ's suffering and say, Lord God, use this.

Jesus, use this for the salvation of the world, for the Father's glory, and that this world may be transformed into the kingdom of God among us.

That's what we're praying for.

And I know that so many of you right now are in a place of suffering.