With all the confusion and uncertainties of today, how do we keep the light of hope burning bright for all to see? When hope dims, seeing the purpose of living becomes more difficult. Do we lose sight of hope when we lose touch with God?
By adhering to God’s will, participating in Jesus’ redemptive work, and following the promptings of the Holy Spirit, our life’s purpose is clear. “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope” [Jeremiah 29:11]. The virtue of hope brightens our world.
Hope gives us more than an optimistic outlook on life. Remember, this hope “does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” [Romans 5:5]. The light of hope keeps us steady. It protects us, along with the virtues of faith and love, so we do not fall into the darkness of despair, particularly in times of trial and tribulation.
Hope Springs Eternal
We need hope’s light in a constantly changing world—what is good today is bad tomorrow. What is loved today is rejected tomorrow. Consider Mary, mother of Jesus Christ our Savior. At his crucifixion, as Mary stood at the foot of her Son’s cross, Our Lady did not lose hope. We know that because Mary opened her heart wide for all people. Our Blessed Mother is the Mother of Hope.
Our Lady brings our Lord’s hope to all who pray to her, calling on us to trust in her Son. Christ leads us to salvation by his life, Passion, Crucifixion, and Resurrection from the dead. We have the hope of eternal life when we live in unity with our Lord. The stronger our union, the greater our participation in our Lord’s mission.
“Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer,” wrote St. Paul [Romans 12:12]. How else can we live? Having the light of hope our Lord provides permeates all that we do. We realize our purpose in life and living is greater than what our world has to offer. We are called to do the right and to love goodness and to walk humbly with our God [Micah 6:8].
Hope to the Hopeless
Hope keeps us from discouragement; it sustains us during times of abandonment; and it opens our heart in expectation of eternal beatitude [CCC 1818]. This hope we share through our daily living. “Buoyed up by hope,” we are “preserved from selfishness and led to the happiness that flows from charity” [CCC 1818].
Therefore, let us keep our light of hope burning bright by remaining true to the Holy Trinity. With God’s graces and blessings, we see that our Savior never abandons us especially when we feel forsaken. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” [Romans 15:13].
In other words, by our faith, we partake in the divine love from Heaven, sharing the light of hope within a darkening world. Through a simple smile, a helping hand, an attentive ear, and an open heart, our mission is clear. “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.” Amen.
4 thoughts on “Light of Hope”
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If Mary calls on us to trust in her Son, why don’t we just do it? It’s basic Christianity. She can’t do it for us. Do people pray to Mary first because they are stubborn about going to God? Stubbornness can be spiritually fatal if it causes us to postpone drawing close to God.
Congratulations on a moving commentary on hope.Although I am Jewish I am always inspired by the call of your religion to make the world a better place by following Jesus’ example.
It’s quite a coincidence that this year both our faiths will celebrate festivals of hope at the same dates. Easter falls during the eight day festival of Pesach or Passover.
I would like to end with a quote on hope from the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks ,one of our greatest leaders and teachers.
“Optimism and hope are not the same. Optimism is the belief that the world is changing for the better.Hope is the belief that,together ,we can make the world better.It takes great courage to hope.The Hebrew Bible is not an optimistic book.It is, however ,one of the great literatures of hope.” And ,it is good to remember that the national anthem of the State of Israel is Hatikvah,The Hope.