How Christ Saves Souls―with Us: The Mystery of Co-Redemption

This book was well done! I have not read a book on co-redemption before and it is not a topic I typically hear about. But, it is a topic that is easy to relate to!

The mystery of co-redemption is the free participation of Christ’s followers in the redemption of their fellow men and women. Becoming closer to God, participating in the sacraments, certain decisions we make for living out our faith, in how we work, play, and love one another, all participate in co-redemption.

I really thought this was a beautiful message. Fr. Giesler gives practical advice and examples of being a co-redeemer. For example, he starts out with a story of a college student who went to a fraternal party. It was taking a turn for the worse, so he tried to convince some of this friends to leave with him. Some did, some didn’t, but it was an act of co-redemption in leaving that party and showing concern for others.

Fr. Giesler also gives a very good theological introduction to co-redemption in the beginning of the book. The rest of the book speaks about co-redemption in topics such as prayer, faith, marriage, the sacraments, charity, sanctifying illness and suffering, and others, and gives many good practical advices pertaining to each.

My own thoughts about co-redemption is that it is a very encouraging way to think. Christ is the redeemer and brings redemption to the whole world. But, we are called to participate in his redemption by sanctifying our lives and working for the salvation of souls for others. We ourselves cannot redeem others by any of our own merit, but Christ does most of the work. When we work for the salvation of souls for other, we need not feel the full burden of that work because we are co-redeemers with Christ who does most of the work.