Suffering has a wide range, from poverty and hunger to sadness and exclusion. Seeing a man with a withered hand in the synagogue on a Sabbath, Jesus asked scribes and Pharisees on hand if He could lawfully do something good that day. Scripture doesn’t record a reply, but Jesus performed the miracle anyway. Athletes train, setting the bar high for a winning jump or other crowns of victory. Seeking eternal life entails giving more than asked, showing kindness to ungrateful people, and forgiving instead of judging. Humbly obedient to the will of the Father, Jesus gave His life on the Cross. Before selecting the Twelve Apostles, He spent a night in prayer. They all had faults, but Jesus focused on their potential. Even a tiny splinter causes pain. In hurtful situations, do we beam with mercy?