SERVANT OF THE CHURCH

XVI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Colossians 1:24-28

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul speaks of the mystery: God’s mystery, or the mystery of salvation, which is God’s secret plan of salvation revealed in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the mystery: “The mystery is Christ among you, your hope of glory”. And Paul was chosen to proclaim this message: “God made me responsible for delivering God’s message to you”. That’s why he “became the servant of the Church”. His life has no other purpose but to proclaim Jesus Christ and to “train everyone and instruct everyone, to make them all perfect in Christ.” To achieve his mission, he is ready to suffer for the Church. He accepts his suffering as sharing in Christ’s suffering, adding up to it. Certainly, Christ suffered all he had to suffer. His cup was filled to the brim. However, in Christ’s mystery, there is the mystery of the Church, which is his body. And Christ goes on suffering in the members of his body until we reach in him the perfection. Then, Christ’s command will be fulfilled: “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt 5:48).

In this Sunday’s gospel (Lk 10:38-42), we are presented with two attitudes before the mystery of Christ, one of service and the other of contemplation. Martha loved Jesus and put herself at his service with readiness and commitment. She wanted her sister to do the same. We must be servants of Jesus Christ. That’s why Paul presents himself as a servant of the Church, that is, of Christ. However, we must aim higher. We should strive to become perfect in Christ, and this goes beyond service. Mary forgot about everything else to be with Christ. Paul was granted the extraordinary grace of being one with Christ, sharing in his suffering. He is certain that Christ is our “hope of glory”.