Our Suffering leads to God’s glory?
March 15, 2026 The idea expressed in today’s Gospel, that a person suffers not because s/he has sinned, but because ‘ ’ God’s works might be revealed in him ’ ’, is a theme that comes up more than once in the Gospels. Next Sunday we will hear Jesus remarking that his friend Lazarus’ sickness ‘’is for God’s glory’ ’. Does this mean that God is a strange, even cruel kind of God, who allows people to suffer, just to ensure that God’s glory will be revealed ? In fact haven’t we heard people say, in an attempt to console those who are suffering : “God sent this suffering for you, so don’t worry ” or “Your pain has a divine purpose” ? ? ? But notice wh at Jesus doesn’t say. He does not say: ‘’ G od caused the blindness in order to reveal divine power ’’. Rather he seems to be saying, ‘’ Given that this suffering exists, God’s work will be revealed here ’’ . In other words, suffering is the arena , no...
