Catholics believe that Jesus redeemed fallen man by His death on the cross and in so doing became the Mediator between God and man. The grace of redemption was therefore merited by Christ. However, Catholics believe that if these graces are to be applied to man, certain conditions must apply.
Firstly, faith must be present. Secondly, there must exist a genuine sorrow for our sins. Not just the sin of Adam and Eve but our ongoing, daily sins. That sorrow is expressed in works of penance.
In Colossians, Paul says "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church".
Nothing is actually lacking in Christ's afflictions in one sense. However, Jesus has made suffering redemptive and our sufferings likewise have a redemptive quality when offered to God. This is what Paul is referring to. This is why Jesus tells us to deny ourselves, take up our own crosses and follow Him.
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“However, Jesus has made suffering redemptive and our sufferings likewise have a redemptive quality when offered to God. This is what Paul is referring to. This is why Jesus tells us to deny ourselves, take up our own crosses and follow Him. “
... reading God’s Word through a few times made me realize that your formula here is flawed.