Footnote explaining “love of suffering” in Christian mysticism.

 

The classic difference between mysticism and gnosticism is the fruit of the 

spirit: love, joy and peace.  Proof of the mystical experience is an increase of 

humility, charity and love of suffering.   At bottom, mystical experience is 

“immediate knowledge of God attained in this present life through personal 

religious experience.” (Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church)

 


The teaching of St. Paul explains the love of suffering in Christian mysticism.

 

The quote below is from Colossians 1:24-29.  Paul had immediate knowledge of God revealed to him a vision of how the church is the mystical body of Christ in which the mysteries of God, once hidden, are now revealed.  Chapter 2 enlarges on the theme of what true Christian mysticism should produce while warning against gnosticism.

 

Charles+

 

Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the divine office which was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now made manifest to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, striving with all the energy which he mightily inspires within me.

 
Charles+

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