Earthly suffering

 "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us." (Romans 8:18)

Saint Paul’s profound reflection in his Letter to the Romans unveils the theological depth of Christian hope anchored in the eschatological promise of divine glory. The apostle speaks candidly about the inevitability of suffering in the present age, a reality that weighs heavily upon humanity. Yet, he immediately reorients the perspective of the believer by asserting that these temporal sufferings are insignificant when measured against the surpassing glory awaiting the faithful. The expression “to be revealed” underscores the already-existing, though presently hidden, glory that will be fully unveiled in the final consummation of God’s salvific plan. This eschatological vision provides the foundation of Christian endurance, transforming pain and trial into a pilgrimage toward eternal communion with God.

Paul’s assertion is not a denial of the weight of human suffering but a redefinition of its meaning within the framework of divine providence. For the early Christians, persecution, exile, and martyrdom were tangible realities, yet Paul invites them to interpret these adversities through the lens of faith. In this theological perspective, suffering is not the final word but a momentary passage toward participation in Christ’s own glorification. The Church Fathers echoed this vision, emphasizing that the Christian’s union with Christ involves both sharing in His Passion and anticipating His Resurrection. The present tribulations, though grievous, become an arena of purification and a means of conforming the believer more closely to Christ, whose sufferings became the instrument of redemption.

This passage also evokes the theology of divine economy, where the temporal is always subordinated to the eternal. The Christian’s destiny is not limited to the fleeting joys and pains of this life but is oriented toward the fullness of life in God. The “glory to be revealed” refers not only to a future event but to the transformative reality of grace already at work in the soul, culminating in the beatific vision. In this light, suffering becomes a paradoxical gift that detaches the soul from earthly attachments and fosters a deeper yearning for God. Saint John Paul II, in his apostolic letter Salvifici Doloris, further develops this theme by affirming that human suffering, united to Christ’s Passion, participates in the mystery of redemption and bears salvific fruit for the individual and the Church.

The pastoral implication of Paul’s teaching is profound for every Christian generation. In the face of illness, injustice, or personal loss, the believer is called to lift his gaze beyond the immediacy of pain and to fix his hope on the promised glory. The Church, through her sacraments, especially the Anointing of the Sick, fortifies the faithful in their trials, reminding them that they are not abandoned but intimately united to Christ. The Eucharist, as a foretaste of heavenly glory, strengthens the soul to persevere and transforms suffering into a sacrificial offering pleasing to God. Thus, the liturgy itself becomes a living testament to the hope that sustains the Church amidst the tribulations of the world.

Saint Paul’s affirmation in Romans 8:18 is a perennial invitation to live with an eschatological perspective, recognizing that no earthly suffering can overshadow the divine glory destined for the children of God. This glory is not a mere future promise but a reality already being fashioned within the believer through grace, suffering, and faithful perseverance. It calls every Christian to embrace trials with the certainty that, in Christ, suffering is neither meaningless nor definitive but the prelude to eternal joy in the presence of God.