WORD 2day: Tuesday, 30th week in Ordinary time
Longing for a brighter future is a human reality. Within the framework of faith this ordinary human reality takes the form of Hope.
If faith is a total childlike surrender to God, hope is the blind joy that fills the heart in that surrender. Even in a moment dark and grim, this joy lights up one's life. Haven't we seen persons who have faced years and years of struggle, who have experienced tragedies after tragedies, but have still remained strong and serene? Those are real saints for they live in a spirit of hope, in holy patience that St. Paul speaks of.
We need a very special spiritual capacity to behold the Reign of God - it is patience in problems, endurance in trials, optimism in setbacks ... a certainty, that in everything, simple little things or great grand events, it is God who is in charge. That in one word is, hope!
Hope is not a great sign or a grand manifestation. It is a subtle disposition and a tiny little spark. Like the mustard seed or the yeast in a dough, it is an elusive attitude, but inevitable to become truly children of God. Yes, it is hope that makes us truly children of God because Hope is the unassailable confidence in the goodness of God.