Catholic Faith and Life: The Problem of Suffering Reflective series: Adult Faith Education, Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst

With God on our side, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31)

“You should carry each other’s troubles...” (Galatians 6:2)

“Through your faith God’s power will guard you until the salvation which has been prepared is revealed at the end of time. …. continued

This is a cause of great joy for you, even though you may for a short time have to bear being plagued by all sorts of trials; so that, when Jesus Christ is revealed, your faith will have been tested and proved like gold - only it is more precious than gold, which is corruptible even though it bears testing by fire - and then you will have praise and glory and honour ... (1 Peter 1:3 ...)

“I think that what we suffer in this life can never be compared to the glory, as yet unrevealed which is waiting for us.” (Romans 8:18)

“We know that by turning everything to their good, God co-operates with those who love him.” (Romans 8:27-28)

“This has taught us love - that he gave up his life for us; and we, too, ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters...My children , our love is not to be just words or mere talk, but something real and active, only by this can we be certain that we are children of the truth.” (1 John 3:16-19)

“Then taking the twelve aside he said to them, ‘Now we are going up to Jerusalem, ...the Son of Man … will be handed over.. and put to death...and on the third day he will rise again.” (Luke 18:31-33)

“Men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and bring you before kings and governors because of my name - and that will be your opportunity to bear witness...Your endurance will win you your lives.” (Luke 21:12-19)