The Advent season is upon us and so we enter into a season centered on hope. Yet, I want to remind you to hold onto the virtue of hope always through all seasons.
If you have been following this blog or following me on social media for a while, you’ll know that I am passionate about talking about hope. Frequently, I quote the words that Pope Benedict XVI spoke to me during our meeting back in 2008. “There is always hope.” Indeed, hope is at the heart of my life, of my ministry, and of my writing. It is this message that I pray comes across to all of you through my work.
We hear about hope quite a bit. Even in our everyday lives, we tend to use the word a lot without much thought. We say things such as, “I hope it doesn’t rain, I hope I do well on my test, I hope you feel better.” The word is thrown around so easily and we sometimes forget the deeper meaning behind it. We forget where the virtue of hope comes from and who is behind it.
What is the Virtue of Hope?
Faith and hope are intertwined. Our faith strengthens hope. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church,
“Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit. … The virtue of hope responds to the aspiration to happiness which God has placed in the heart of every man; it takes up the hopes that inspire men’s activities and purifies them so as to order them to the Kingdom of heaven; it keeps man from discouragement; it sustains him during times of abandonment; it opens up his heart in expectation of eternal beatitude. Buoyed up by hope, he is preserved from selfishness and led to the happiness that flows from charity.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1817-1818
Just from reflecting on this, we see that true hope goes far beyond a mere wish or fantasy. We also realize more clearly that without faith, there is no hope.
Why do we Need Hope?
Hope is what helps us to recognize that we are never alone on our journeys. It keeps us grounded and, even in difficult times, keeps us always gazing forward towards something better. This virtue reminds us that, no matter what our circumstances are, God has many gifts waiting for us. His gifts will get us through and bring us to (ultimately) our heavenly home. Because of hope, we know that God will always use everything to make us better (and others too). God always using everything for a greater purpose. It is what helps us to live each day with purpose.
When we look at the state of our world today, it is no wonder that sometimes our first instinct is to feel hopelessness. We see so much suffering, a lack of virtue and, as a result, chaos and division. We see evil spreading into families, the church, schools, the government, and just about everywhere else. Many of us might understandably feel frustrated, anxious, and uncertain. However, when we fall into despair, we can easily become desperate and be led into doing harmful things.
Despite the bad things happening in the world, we need to hope. Keeping our eyes open to God’s glimmers of grace is one way to do this. There is good in the world. There is light! Christ came to this earth to bring us that light. It’s up to us to keep that flame of hope burning and to share it with the world around us. The season of Advent is about opening our hearts to receive the greatest gift ever sent to this earth.
There truly is always hope and I pray that you all come to find it in a special way for the remainder of Advent – this season so profoundly centered on hope. As Christmas quickly approaches, let us remember to deepen our prayer lives and open our minds and hearts to Christ. Keep the flames of faith and hope burning brightly!
Questions for reflection:
If you are in a season of waiting and/or suffering, what are you hopeful for?
How can you deepen your awareness of God’s presence in your life?
Consider how you can be the living presence of God’s hope in this world. How can you bring His peace, joy, love, and hope to others?
