Fr. Scott A. Haynes
St. Paul exhorts us to "put on" the virtues befitting those who are "elect of God, holy, and beloved." This imagery of being clothed in virtue is found throughout Sacred Scripture, echoing Isaiah 61:10: "He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation: and with the robe of justice he hath covered me." St. Augustine, reflecting on this passage, explains that such garments are not external but the interior virtues given to us by God’s grace:
"The Lord clothes His faithful ones with virtues, that they may not be found naked in their sins on the day of judgment" (Expositions on the Psalms, Ps. 132:3).
The first virtue Paul lists is mercy, that deep compassion for others which springs from the heart of Christ Himself. St. Gregory the Great remarks that true mercy is not mere sentimentality but an active disposition of the soul:
"Mercy that is only in words and not in action is not the mercy of Christ. True mercy seeks out the suffering, tends to their wounds, and forgets itself for the sake of love" (Moralia in Job, XX.5).
Following mercy, we must also put on benignity (kindness), humility, modesty, and patience. St. Bernard of Clairvaux reminds us that these virtues cannot exist where pride reigns:
"Humility is the mother of all virtues; if humility is absent, every other virtue is a mask, not a reality" (Sermon on the Song of Songs, 34.10).
The Call to Forgiveness
Paul’s words, "Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another," call us to imitate the forgiveness of Christ Himself. The Fathers remind us that this command is central to Christian living. St. John Chrysostom warns against the illusion of prayer without forgiveness:
"How can you raise pure hands in prayer to God if you refuse to stretch out those same hands in forgiveness to your brother?" (Homilies on Matthew, 6.14).
True forgiveness is not mere tolerance but the active decision to release another from the debt of their offense. Just as Christ forgave us upon the Cross, so must we forgive others—without condition, without limit.
Charity: The Bond of Perfection
Paul proclaims: "Above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection." Charity is not merely one virtue among others; it is the queen of virtues, binding them together in unity and completion. St. Augustine teaches:
"Without charity, virtues are but scattered stones, cold and lifeless. With charity, they become a temple fit for the dwelling of the Holy Ghost" (De Doctrina Christiana, I.36).
Charity orders our mercy, tempers our patience, sanctifies our humility. Without it, all good works are void, as St. Paul himself declares: "If I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing" (1 Cor. 13:2).
The Peace of Christ in Our Hearts
Paul exhorts: "Let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body." This peace is not the world’s peace, which is fleeting and shallow, but the deep tranquility of a soul resting in God’s providence. St. Gregory of Nyssa writes:
"The peace of Christ is not an escape from suffering, but the presence of Christ within it. To rest in Him is to know peace even in tribulation" (Homilies on the Beatitudes, 6).
This peace is inseparable from gratitude. "Be ye thankful," Paul commands, for gratitude opens the soul to grace and prevents spiritual sluggishness. The saints teach us that a thankful heart is a joyful heart, for it sees God’s hand in all things.
The Word of Christ Dwelling in Us Abundantly
St. Paul urges: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly." This means more than reading Scripture occasionally; it is a call to interiorize the Word, to let it shape our thoughts, words, and actions. St. Jerome famously declares:
"Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ" (Commentary on Isaiah, Prologue).
To truly dwell in the Word, we must meditate upon it daily, allowing it to transform our minds. The Fathers recommend memorization of Scripture, so that the Word is never far from our hearts.
Paul also exhorts us to "teach and admonish one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles." The use of sacred song has always been a hallmark of Christian life, uplifting the soul in praise. St. Ambrose, a great composer of hymns, writes:
"A hymn is nothing but the praise of God with song; it is the melody of the heart drawn into union with the divine" (Explanatio Psalmorum, 1.9).
Doing All in the Name of the Lord Jesus
The final exhortation of this passage is one of total consecration: "All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." This means that our entire lives—every thought, every action, every decision—must be offered as a sacrifice of love to God. St. Thomas Aquinas teaches:
"To do all things in the name of Christ is to act always as His disciple, seeking His glory rather than our own" (Summa Theologica, II-II, q.82, a.2).
Giving thanks "to God and the Father by Him" reminds us that all good comes through Christ. St. Paul’s words echo those of Our Lord: "Without me, you can do nothing" (John 15:5).
Conclusion: Living in Christ
This passage from Colossians is a complete program for Christian living. St. Paul calls us to:
Clothe ourselves in virtues,
Forgive as Christ forgave,
Live in charity,
Rest in the peace of Christ,
Let the Word dwell in us abundantly,
Offer all we do in the name of the Lord.
In a world that seeks to draw us away from holiness, these words are a roadmap back to the heart of Christ. Let us then heed this call, striving daily to be clothed in virtue, singing His praises, and doing all for His glory.
"O Lord, grant us the grace to live as Thy elect, holy and beloved. Clothe us in Thy virtues, that we may walk worthily in Thy sight. Let Thy Word dwell in us, and may all that we do be done for love of Thee. Amen."
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