Col 1:24-2:3
Lk 6:6-11
There is one verse in the letter to the Romans (8:18) that is a profound reminder to me.
It goes like this "I consider the sufferings of this present age as nothing compared to the eternal glory that is awaiting us".
The letter to the Romans is accredited to St Paul.
One of the favourite themes of St Paul is about the sufferings of this present age and its meaning.
In the first reading, he states one of its meaning - to make up for all that has still to be undergone by Christ for the sake of His body, the Church.
Although St Paul was wearied by his struggles, yet he suffered gladly because he knew it was nothing compared to the eternal glory awaiting him.
Even for Jesus, when He did the good and right thing, what he got in return was indifference to say the least, and on the extreme end, a murderous plot.
Today's readings remind us that when we do the good and right things, we can forget about being rewarded because that is our duty.
Yes, we must keep doing the good and right thing, even when we face ridicule or objection or opposition or suffering, in short, we keep doing good in the face of evil.
We must remember that evil is not eternal. What is eternal is the glory and the reward that is awaiting us.
From the perspective of eternity, suffering is a non-entity.