29 December 2022 Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop, Martyr

I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. 

From Colossians 1:24-29, NRSV

At the time of writing these words, Paul was in a Roman prison for crimes he had not committed. This was just part of the sufferings that Paul had experienced since becoming an apostle. Paul was able to say that  he rejoiced in his sufferings because he knew that they were for the sake of the Church. Rather than working to gain his release, Paul was using his time in prison to write to Colossae – a small and relatively unimportant city at the time, yet regarded as important by Paul. Today the church honours another saint – Saint Thomas Becket – who accepted suffering and ultimately martyrdom in his fidelity to his Christian faith.

• • Why do you think that Paul was able to rejoice in his sufferings?
  • What is your experience of good coming from a difficult experience?

You may like to research the life of Saint Thomas Becket and reflect on the sacrifice he made.