Johannine Hours             Colossians 1:24-29             March 1996
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[The "Johannine hours" are meant as a way of seeking God in silence
and prayer in the midst of our daily life. During the course of a
day, take a moment to read the Bible passage with the short
commentary and to reflect on the questions which follow.
Afterwards, a small group people can meet to share what they have
discovered and perhaps for a time of prayer.] 

In this passage, Saint Paul situates his call as an apostle in the
context of God's great project (the "mystery") to bring the entire
universe into the fullness of the divine communion. God does this
by sending his Son into the world, even to those who were not
consciously waiting for him (the Gentiles). This unbelievable act
of love is the climax of all the generous acts by which God
attempted to communicate with humanity over the course of centuries
(v.25b). 

Since God's plan centers on a communion of intelligent persons, the
knowledge of it that they have is a necessary part of this plan:
God wishes to "reveal" the mystery (v.27a). As a consequence, Paul
and his fellow-workers have to "proclaim" and "instruct" people;
among other things, the Gospel is a form of "wisdom," a conscious
way of leading one's life so as to grow toward the fullness of a
communion in Christ (v.28). 

But the apostle teaches first and foremost by the life he leads in
the steps of Christ. In the image of his Lord, he gives his life
for his brothers and sisters, thus letting Christ's passion put its
mark on his own existence. Paul knows that he can add nothing to
Christ's sufferings, but he also knows that the efforts and
struggles of the ministers of the Gospel are in full continuity
with these sufferings. They are the repercussions of it throughout
history, in order to allow the Body of Christ to grow to its full
stature. And Paul is aware that what enables him to keep going in
the midst of his difficulties is the power of the resurrection,
itself a gift from Christ. 

      Are we familiar with examples of shared suffering that become
      a source of joy? Why? 
      Do I view Bible history as something that concerns me
      personally? What texts, what intuitions help me to situate my
      own ongoing life in the context of God's universal plan? 
      How can we grow in a relationship with Christ? How can we
      help others to grow? 

"Johannine Hours" - 04/96 - ©71250 Taizé-Community, France.
taize@cpe.ipl.fr 

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COL 1:24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up
in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's
afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. [25] I
have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to
you the word of God in its fullness-- [26] the mystery that has
been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to
the saints. [27] To them God has chosen to make known among the
Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in
you, the hope of glory. 

COL 1:28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with
all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. [29]
To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so
powerfully works in me. (Colossians 1,24-29) 





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