As Nothing?
July 12, 2023
Fr. John Riccardo
Brothers and sisters: I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
Romans 8:18-23
I can just imagine the reaction, if we’re listening, to this reading from St. Paul to the Christians in Rome this coming Sunday. I’m wondering how two friends of mine, who were recently diagnosed with aggressive cancer, will hear this. I’m thinking of another couple, whose daughter has been the victim of human trafficking. I’m wondering about a man I know who was horribly abused when he was a young man. I’m thinking of a woman who has lived most of her life battling depression. If I’m honest, I’m not sure how I react to Paul’s words, or rather, God’s words through Paul.
It’s helpful for me to keep in mind who is speaking, first of all. Paul is no pollyannaish guy, some eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side. This is a man who “received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one,” was beaten with rods three times, stoned once (and left for dead!), shipwrecked three times, adrift at sea for at least 24 hours, and was in “danger from robbers, danger from [his] own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure” (2 Cor 11:24-27).
Ok, so Paul knows suffering first hand.
Still, we must tread carefully here for suffering is a mystery, not a problem to be solved or explained away with pious platitudes.
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul reminds us of a most important truth. There, he teaches us that while suffering is never a good, it can be used for good things. In other words, suffering is not — or need not — be in vain. The cross of Jesus after all, the worst suffering, was not in vain. It was the means by which He rescued the world from the powers of Sin and Death and defeated our ancient enemy. Because of this, when suffering comes our way, we can, like Paul, actively unite whatever pain and anguish we are experiencing to Jesus’ cross. And one day we will discover how God used that for good (cf. Col 1:24).
Back to Romans, however. Paul is not saying that suffering is nothing. He’s saying that suffering – no matter how great – is as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed in us. In other words, Paul is encouraging us to ask the Lord to give us what we might call “an eternal perspective.” It’s only when we are able to look back from our true homeland, when creation's groaning pains are over and the King makes all things new, that we’ll be able to see things in the right light. I don’t think that means we’ll say things like, “Oh, that depression was nothing,” or “That abuse didn’t really matter.” Rather, I think Paul is a realist and he knows the sufferings of this world can be horrific.
Which means the glory that is to be revealed, that no eye has seen and no mind has ever conceived, must be absolutely astounding (cf. 1 Cor 2:9). The kingdom of God is breathtaking beyond all human imagination!
Saint Faustina once had a vision that has always been most helpful for me with regards to all of this. In her Diary of Divine Mercy she writes, “And I saw the other road, or rather, a path, for it was narrow and strewn with thorns and rocks; and the people who walked along it had tears in their eyes, and all kinds of suffering befell them. Some fell down upon the rocks, but stood up immediately and went on. At the end of the road there was a magnificent garden filled with all sorts of happiness, and all these souls entered there. At the very first instant they forgot all their sufferings” (n. 153).
Let us pray for all those who are on that path today, filling up in their own flesh “what’s lacking in the suffering of Christ” (cf. Col 1:24). Let’s pray for the grace to persevere amidst any and all hardships. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to put within us a deep hunger for the Kingdom of heaven. And let’s ask Jesus to show us this week what He’s asking us to do to build for that Kingdom until He returns and makes all things new.