In one of the more mysterious and compelling passages of the New Testament, St. Paul in his Letter to the Colossians writes, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church” (Colossians 1:24). This statement, intriguing in its suggestion that something could be “lacking” in the sufferings of Christ, has long been a subject of contemplation in Catholic theology. It opens up a profound understanding of the nature of suffering in the life of a Christian, particularly as it relates to the liturgical life of the Church in the Tridentine Mass.
The Role of Suffering in Christian Life
At first glance, the idea of anything lacking in Christ’s afflictions seems paradoxical. How could the perfect, atoning sacrifice of Christ on the Cross lack anything? The key to understanding this lies in the mystical unity of the Church, the Body of Christ. Christ’s sufferings are indeed perfect and complete; however, He has willed that His followers should also partake in these sufferings. This participation is not for the sake of adding to His atonement, but rather for deepening the union with Him and manifesting His ongoing presence in the world through the Church.
Participation in the Sacrifice of the Mass
This understanding is vividly expressed in the Tridentine Mass, which is celebrated in Latin and follows a rite that dates back centuries in the Church. The Tridentine Mass profoundly emphasizes the sacrificial nature of the Eucharist. The Mass is not merely a commemorative meal but a true re-presentation of the sacrifice of Calvary. The priest, acting in persona Christi (in the person of Christ), offers Jesus’ sacrifice to the Father, and the faithful participate by uniting their own sacrifices to this offering.
In the Offertory of the Tridentine Mass, the faithful are invited to offer not just the bread and wine but also their lives, their joys, and their sufferings. This moment encapsulates the call to lay down one’s own life as a spiritual offering, which is joined to the perfect sacrifice of Christ on the altar. This unity in sacrifice has a transformative effect, deepening the worshippers’ participation in the divine life and their capacity for spiritual sacrifice.
The Redemptive Value of Shared Suffering
The Tridentine Mass serves as a powerful reminder that our sufferings, when united with Christ’s, acquire a redemptive quality. This is the mystery that St. Paul touches upon in his letter. Through the Mass, we are invited to enter into the Paschal Mystery of Jesus—His suffering, death, and resurrection. Our personal trials and tribulations, when offered up in this sacred context, become part of the salvific work of Christ. They are transformed and elevated, contributing to the sanctification of the world and the building up of the Church.
Conclusion
The Tridentine Mass is not only a ritual of deep historical roots but also a profound encounter with the living Christ. It invites the faithful to a participation that is full, conscious, and active in the truest sense—engaging not just minds and voices but entire lives in the mystery of faith. In embracing our crosses and offering our sufferings in union with the Eucharistic sacrifice, we find true meaning and power in our pains. Like St. Paul, we too can rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that they are a part of the great tapestry of God’s redemptive plan for humanity.
This participation in Christ’s suffering and the act of offering it in the Mass teaches us the true value of sacrifice, a concept that is both ancient and ever-new, continually calling us to deeper communion with God and with each other in the mystical body of Christ.