Colossians 3:1-4 and the Cruciform Life in Catholic Thought

Introduction: Paul's Easter Mystery in Colossians 3:1-4

In Colossians 3:1-4, Paul refers to the Easter mystery in both concrete and symbolic terms. Commentaries on the resurrection illustrate the need for both a mundane and a transcendent understanding of the passage. Conforming to its cruciform implications, the passage urges believers to "set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God...not on earthly things" (Col 3:1-2). As much as Paul urges transcendence, it remains important to apply spiritual principles to the material world. The metaphors of "being raised in Christ" and "putting on Christ" help keep the Catholic Church grounded in its cruciform principles: of simultaneously being in the world and not of the world. Believers must focus on what is above without becoming indifferent to the immanent suffering in the world — a central lesson of the crucifixion.

Baptism and the Transformative Power of Sacramental Metaphor

As MacDonald (n.d.) points out, the metaphors of being raised in Christ and putting on Christ directly refer to the meaning and function of the sacraments, particularly the transformative power of baptism. Baptism literally removes the person from one, profane state and welcomes the soul into Christ's embrace. Through baptism, one receives very real spiritual power embedded in the mystery: "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God" (Col 3:3). The life is "hidden" because the spiritual transformation is not immediately apparent or visible to the naked eye, which encourages humility as one carries out mundane duties. The soul becomes permanently a part of the Christian community.

As an initiation rite, baptism is a symbol of death and resurrection — of being raised in Christ and no longer belonging entirely to this world, of putting on Christ for the duration of one's life. Being a member of the Church is more than belonging to a social group; it means being a part of a spiritual community, of the corpus Christi.

Verticality and Horizontality: Heaven and Earthly Service

The entire community of the faithful is focused on the heavenly realm; the Church creates a spiritual community with a special purpose. That ultimate, divine purpose of salvation needs to remain foremost in the minds and hearts of the people. Yet it is important to keep these metaphors of being raised in Christ always connected to the cross, so as to prevent a single-minded focus on verticality — that is, only the upward trend toward heaven and the neglect of one's duties on earth.

Service and community — the horizontality of the Church's actions in the world — also remain important and even integral to the fulfillment of God's will. Both the vertical and the horizontal are necessary. Reaching out to others, spreading the gospel, promoting social justice, and "putting on Christ" all entail direct action.

Conclusion: Easter, Identity, and Cruciform Community

Easter is the ideal time to meditate on these core metaphors. They point to the challenge of maintaining a spiritual community, and a spiritual identity, within an overarching secular society. Similarly, these metaphors show how believers need continually to balance mundane with spiritual goals. Upon baptism, one has died and been reborn in Christ. Subsequently, one remains conscious of a higher purpose guiding one's life. All personal sacrifices become meaningful when placed into their cruciform context.

References

Bergant, D. (n.d.). Preaching the New Lectionary.

Gorman, M. J. (2004). Apostle of the Crucified Lord.

MacDonald, M. Y. (n.d.). Colossians and Ephesians.

Pilch, J. J. (n.d.). Easter Sunday.