In life’s darkest moments, we are asked a question: “Can we hope?”
This year, we are especially invited to be open to hope. Yet there are many signs that can lead us to despair: the news, social media, negative thoughts, people who have let us down. Still, in difficulty, there are always signs of hope, and as long as those signs exist, we can trust.
For hope is trust. It is a complete submission that no matter how bad things are, there is a Creator who loves us, a God who died for us, and a purpose for existing.
There are signs which point to that reality.
A Sign of Hope: Living
Pope Francis in his papal bull Spes Non Confundit states that
“All of us, however, need to recover the joy of living, since men and women, created in the image and likeness of God (cf. Genesis 1:26), cannot rest content with getting along one day at a time, settling for the here and now and seeking fulfillment in material realities alone.”
It is beautiful to watch people in love with the gift of life. We see it in little children, happy and carefree, and in moments of complete joy.
I, myself am a comedian, and one of the greatest blessings is to talk to an audience member who is thankful because that is the first time they have laughed in months. To be able to bring smiles and laughter to others, and to see that joy in one’s face is a sure sign of hope.
However, to trust in that experience -- as great as it is -- will still fail in comparison to the bountiful joy that awaits us in Heaven.
Let us seek opportunities to smile in life, and to laugh, and thus to be in a spirit of joyful living while knowing we are still on our journey to Heaven.
A Sign of Hope: Courage in Action
Hope helps us to see the injustice of the world, recognize it, and still find good; for it begins with the deepest reality that God is love and that he is with us on this journey. Thus, a sure sign of hope is found in a quote often attributed to St. Augustine:
“Hope has two daughters: ‘Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.’”
Anytime anyone is helping fight evil in the world, there is hope to be found.
The Greatest Sign: Prayer
The courage to act also includes the courage to pray. Anytime prayer is conducted, whether individually or by assembly, there is hope. Thus, hope is found in the liturgy. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that
“Hope is expressed and nourished in prayer, especially in the Our Father, the summary of everything that hope leads us to desire” (no. 1820).
Let us move forward the rest of this Jubilee Year of Hope open to those signs. Let us not be afraid to hope!
Daniel Quintero is a stand-up comedian currently attending Mary, Mother of the Church Catholic Parish. His favorite motto: “Awkwardness does not exist.”
Answering Christ’s call, Pilgrim Center of Hope guides people to encounter Him so as to live in hope, as pilgrims in daily life. See what’s happening & let us journey with you! Visit PilgrimCenterOfHope.org.
