March 6, 2025 – Day Four
Hope is the humblest of virtues, because it hides itself in this life.
~ Pope Francis
Ponder:
Have I ever considered that I carry the seeds of hope within me?
Pray:
God of hope, help me to find the hope that’s in me, so that I may help it grow.
Reflection from Arnie Francis:
What is the outcome of a Christian understanding of HOPE?
One of the most insightful characteristics of HOPE, I have heard said, is that it leads to action. Unlike “optimism” which is a feeling, a sense of being, that we experience, HOPE is an endearing belief in an outcome. And the outcome exists because of a path that must be followed, an action that must be taken, a change of heart that must transpire, or all of the above! HOPE is, of itself, a “pilgrimage” – not just a brain frozen by the cacophony of life, but an intentioned journey from here to there. It is purpose-driven and inspired by faith in an outcome.
In a similar way, “despair” is not the opposite of HOPE. Despair is, perhaps, a rejection of HOPE, in a negatively reflective way. But HOPE is always the search for possibilities: the “ping” on the mobile phone, or the flash of headlights from behind saying “yes, turn in front of me”, or the simple “thank you” coming from an unplanned kind deed.
HOPE is the essence of Christ’s message, when distilled for an unchurched generation. Jesus’ message on forgiveness, (Matthew 6:14-15), on reciprocation (Luke 6:31), on asking (Matthew 7:7), on attaining sanctity (John 14:6), and much more. Arguably, like the Holy Trinity – a continuous, harmonious relationship among the three Divine persons of the One God – the theological virtues of “Faith, Hope and Love” are a triangle of continuous flow, where one cannot exist without the other two. Yet I see HOPE as the pathway where “faith” opens into “love”. Love is the outcome, faith is the action and HOPE is the connecting path.
Scripture is replete with outcomes of HOPE, where Heaven and Earth are rooms in The Father’s House (John 14:1-3), and the Father raising up Jesus, freeing him from the grip of death (Acts 2:24). Through his entire papacy, Pope Francis has been guiding us to conversion through a catechism of HOPE. Evangelization to the Faith comes through HOPE. HOPE is the path where being authentically “in love” with God opens up a world where God who is love brings us Peace through His Son Jesus. Where a livable planet fosters life-giving futures. Can there be a greater grace than the outcomes of HOPE?
Excerpts used with permission from Twenty-Third Publications.