Fourth Sunday after Trinity AD 2026

The suffering of this present age is an unavoidable part of life in a fallen world: separation from God leads to corruption and death. This is true not only of human beings, but of all God’s creation, which, together with us, awaits the revelation of the glorious liberty of the children of God.

In the words of St. Paul, the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us. This, however, is easier said than lived. We tend to take the good for granted, while experiencing evil as something always unexpected, unjust, and difficult to accept.

It is true that, without the Fall, there would be no suffering. Yet just as God is Lord over all things, He is Lord also over suffering. This means that He can use even our suffering to bring about, in the end, something not merely better, but perfectly good.

For example, why does God allow poverty? Poverty itself is an evil, yet God can use even this evil for good. The poverty of some gives others—those who have been blessed with greater means—the opportunity to do what is good: to help those who suffer need. In this way, both the poor and the wealthy may come to share in the blessings of our immeasurably rich Father in heaven.

The most important thing to remember is that this present age will soon come to an end. Therefore we may live in joyful hope, trusting that the day will come when we shall inherit the happiness and joy God has promised and prepared for us. At the same time, we must use every God-given opportunity to do good while this present age lasts.