Today, we hear another powerful message from St Paul where he speaks about suffering. It’s a little bit different to an earlier message about suffering where he said that he rejoices in his suffering because it produces perseverance, character and hope. His message is still a message of hope. But this time the hope is about the promise of future comfort.
In fact it is more than comfort. He writes, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” This statement brings hope of our Christian journey. It doesn’t deny our present suffering but it puts it in comparison to what God has in store for us in Heaven.
So he begins by acknowledging the reality of suffering in our lives. Each of us, in some way, can relate to the burdens we carry—whether they be physical, emotional, or spiritual. And even the world around us, the creation we live in that God created lives in despair. We see injustice, violence, and division. And if we look at the very first violence written in the bible, the murder of Abel by his brother Cain, it was not just Abel who was dealt the injustice but all Creation. When God confronted Cain over the murder he said: “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. The groanings of creation are evident as we witness the effects of pollution, war, crime, poverty, and the multitude of challenges facing humanity today.
In the midst of these struggles, St. Paul invites us to look beyond our present circumstances—to see the “glory that is to be revealed to us.” It’s similar to what he says in Colossians chapter 3: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. What does this glory that Paul speaks about so often mean? It refers to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises to us. A reality that surpasses our understanding and experience. It is the glory of being united with Christ in His resurrection, where every tear will be wiped away and every pain will be healed. This is not merely a future hope but a present reality that sustains us through our trials.
St. Paul emphasizes the groaning of creation, which waits in eager anticipation for the revelation of the children of God. Creation, too, longs for this release from suffering. And this release will come from God, not us. This is not about reaching net zero to reverse climate change. No – that is made made. Creation is waiting for God to relieve its present suffering.
This gives us a profound insight into our relationship with the world around us. Remember, Adam was created from the dust of the ground by God. We are not just passive inhabitants of this earth; rather, we are stewards of God’s creation.
Remember what God said after he completed creation – he said to Adam and Eve – God blessed them and said to them,
“Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Our actions, our care, and our love for one another as well as the environment reflect our understanding of this hope.
As we journey with our own struggles, we must remember that the waiting is not in vain. St. Paul assures us that we are not alone in our waiting. The Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. In times of suffering it can be hard to pray. Hard to find the words to speak. Whether it’s our own suffering or the suffering of a loved one – sometimes there are no words. When we don’t know how to pray, the Spirit intercedes. The Spirit prays for us with words we can’t speak. When we don’t know what to hope for, the Spirit hopes within us. When our strength fails, the Spirit carries us. Our groaning is not a sign of spiritual failure — it is the Spirit’s work in us, pulling us toward the fullness of God’s future. God Himself walks with us, bearing our burdens and supporting us as we carry our own. This passage invites us to embrace a deeper understanding of hope—it is not a wishful yearning for a better tomorrow but a confident assurance rooted in faith.
Christian hope is active; it calls us to participate in God’s work and to be agents of change and love in a world that so desperately needs both. So, how can we embody this hope in our daily lives? First, we can be examples of gratitude, recognizing the blessings we have even amidst our suffering. We can reach out to those who are suffering, offering compassion and support. We can become voices for the voiceless, advocates for justice, and agents of peace in our communities. Which is exactly what Jesus did in his earthly mission as he reached out to the marginalised. As we reflect on our own lives, let us mirror St. Paul’s understanding that our present sufferings are not our final destination. They are part of the journey toward the incredible inheritance waiting for us as children of God. Paul tells us that life in the Spirit is not an escape from struggle but a transformation of it. We groan, creation groans, yet hope groans louder. The Spirit meets us in our weakness, reminding us who we are and where we’re headed: toward the full redemption of God’s children.
Let us hold fast to that hope and trust that, though we may experience difficulty today, we serve a God who transforms suffering into glory. Let us carry the message of hope in our lives and into the lives of those around us. As we await the fullness of the true life that awaits, let us live in a way that reflects the love of Christ, embracing both our struggles and our triumphs—confident in the promise of the glory to come. Creation is groaning. We are groaning. But the Spirit is groaning too — and the Spirit’s groaning is the sound of resurrection being born.
