Tag: Hope

Do you practice the virtue of hope? Pope Francis calls hope the virtue that is hidden and humble. Hidden because so often we don’t see reasons for our hope in the world. Humble – because our hope is made real in the humility of Jesus who comes to walk with us, to share our life, our joys, and our struggles. As I practice the virtue of hope, I see that the face of Jesus is the only hope and stability I have in this fallen world. We are all called to hope.

Hope is not merely a wish that something good might happen – it is the firm confidence and desire that the promises of God will be fulfilled.

Many people feel that they cannot go on and pray “Lord give me the strength to continue.” Prayer opens the heaven: it gives life oxygen; it gives a breath of fresh air even in the midst of breathlessness and lets us see things from a broader perspective… Do I cultivate intimacy with God, dialogue with him, listen to his word? Among the many things we do each day, let us not neglect prayer; let us dedicate time to it, let us use short invitations to be repeated often, let us read the gospel every day. The prayer that opens the heaven.

Pope Francis Angelus January 9, 2022

How do I live with hope when the world seems so lost? Our lives seem so painful and senseless at times, and it all seems so pointless. When I ask this question, I’m taking action as I’m seeking and looking for an answer. Hope is almost always connected to action.

We live in a culture that produces hopelessness. We can see the evidence of this in the anxiety and depression rates we have in the US. Faced with chaotic realities, where the loudest voice defines truth, where the expectation is that we can do it all and have it all, we are rarely satisfied. Seldom do we allow ourselves to rest in the presence of God.

As spiritual beings, we are all given the spiritual gift of hope but does hope live in your heart? As I eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed, I know I have all the spiritual gifts I need. But am I open to them or better yet am I open to Him?