Whatever could Saint Paul have meant when he wrote that he was filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, the Church? Jesus' death and resurrection wrought our salvation. What could possibly be lacking?

Scripture scholars are divided on what Paul meant. Certainly what he wrote has nothing to do with the saving power of the cross and resurrection or about Jesus. Perhaps what is lacking is in the manifestation of Jesus by the Body of Christ, by the Church. The Church is supposed to be the continuation of the incarnation. We are supposed to be the arms, eyes, ears, feet, heart and hands with Jesus as our head. We are somehow to be the real presence of Jesus in the world today. Jesus is supposed to be seen walking on the earth today by the way we live our lives. Perhaps Paul was writing to the Colossians to say that the Church so often has given an imperfect witness to Christ. We have instead at times by our actions and words given witness to the incompleteness of God's Kingdom in our midst and in our lives. By rejoicing in his suffering for the sake of the Colossians, Paul embraces his cross, follows Jesus and seeks to lead others to the treasure of God's love which was poured out for us and enriches us and needs to flow out from us.