Brought back to life in Christ
Dear People of St. Boniface,
There is an argument as to whether I wrote the letter to the Colossians, so let me give myself the benefit of the doubt.
Colossae was one of a triangle of towns near Ephesus, the others being Hierapolis and Laodicea, in a notorious earthquake zone in the valley of the river Lycus – hence not much remains for you to see today. I did not take the Gospel to them, but became interested in them, and they in me, when I was in Ephesus between 54 and 57.
The Christians there faced problems: there were those who wanted them to behave like Jews, those who wanted to convince them of Greek pagan philosophy so that they worshipped the elements of earth, air, fire and water, and those who took their religion to extremes and looked down on the others.
I try to call them to a sense of proportion. They have been brought back to life in Christ! In my letter to the Romans [ch.6], I say that by being baptised, plunged under the surface of the water like Christ in the Jordan, we “die” to our old selves.
Now I say that because Christ has risen, we too have risen, and, believe it or not, it is glory which now awaits us.
The earthly elements are not to be worshipped, because they are subject to Christ. But earthly human powers – thinking of the Emperor – are also not to be worshipped, for the same reason. A happy Easter!
My blessing, from Heaven, PAUL.