Every individual, in one way or another, requires the virtue of hope. In daily life, we frequently place our hope in people and things, such as in pilots, who ensure a safe flight of an aeroplane, and in cooks, who prepare our food. However, for us Christians, hope transcends human abilities. Therefore, as faithful Christians, we are called to place our hope in the Lord, as the prophet Micah exhorts.
Why is hope necessary? The book of Isaiah describes it beautifully. It reminds us that “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength… they will soar on wings like eagles… they will run and not grow weary… they will walk and not be faint” (Is 40:31). Through hope, we find a purpose to live out our faith. No saint has ever been without hope in the glory of God. St. Paul, who speaks of this theological virtue more than anyone else in the Bible, emphasises that hope is essential to prevent our sorrows from hardening into despair. He urges us to “rejoice in hope” (Romans 12:12), because through hope, we begin to experience the blessings of heaven even in this life.
We must also acknowledge the importance of hope as highlighted by Pope Francis, who chose this theme for the Jubilee. The Pope names the Bull of Indiction: Spes Non Confundit, meaning that hope does not disappoint, drawn from the words of the St. Paul. The Pope encourages us to become “tangible signs of hope for so many of our brothers and sisters who are living in difficult circumstances” (10). He further reminds us that “hope perseveres in the midst of trials: founded on faith and nurtured by charity” (3).
Thus, in this Jubilee Year of Hope, let us examine our souls and ask ourselves:
- Do we place our hope in people or in God?
- Are we living as witnesses of hope in the Lord?
Jake Bezzina
SDC Kandidat
