I brought this meditation to the Congress ‘Called to Hope’, in Castel Gandolfo, on 29 March 2025: ‘In these times of division and great challenges, as Christians we are called to bear witness together to the hope of the Gospel and to be agents of dialogue and unity, working for peace and fraternity.’
How can we keep hope alive in situations that seem hopeless? What resources do we draw on in our faith when it is put to the test, when our prayers seem to go unanswered?
There is a big difference between hope and expectation. Hope is fuelled by human plans for a better future. Expectation is rooted in trust in God for a future that he is preparing. It is an ‘anchor for the soul, firm and secure’ (Heb 6:19) that ties us securely to the love of God.
Its biblical model is Abraham, who ‘hoped against hope’ when God promised him a child when he and his wife were very old (Rom 4:18-22).
An anchor for the soul
His example shows us that hope is rooted in trust in God. Why is it an ‘anchor for the soul, both sure and steadfast’ (Heb 6:9)? I can see at least four reasons.
Firstly, it is an anchor for the persons who lives the Word of God. Doing his will makes our life solid. The person who live in this way do not place their ultimate hope in political programmes or in scientific progress, but in God’s promise that he wants us to be happy, as the prophet Jeremiah says:
‘For I, the Lord, know well what plans I have for you; and I affirm to you: they are not plans of misfortune but plans of happiness. I want to give you a future to hope in.’ (Jer 29:11)
Secondly, our hope is an anchor, because it is based on the example of Jesus, who was inspired throughout his life and passion by the conviction that God would resurrect him three days after his cruel death.
So when we are confronted with the harshness of death, injustice, destruction or some other adversity, let us never despair! Let us live these situations before Jesus, who went through all our dark valleys in hope! And let us continue to love our neighbour as he did until the end, until forgiveness!
Thirdly, our hope is an anchor, because our life is hidden in the risen Christ: he is among us and hears our cries and our prayers. He accompanies us on our paths, where, like the disciples of Emmaus, we do not understand, at first, what is happening to us.
Finally, our hope is an anchor, for the Holy Spirit has been poured into our hearts. Hope does not disappoint, says Paul, for God’s love dwells in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been poured into us. Our heart doest not deceive us because the Spirit justifies it and transforms it by pouring out its peace. (Rom 5:5)
Let us listen to the Holy Spirit in our hearts, as we listen to him speaking to us through his Word, as he also speaks to us through our sisters and brothers, especially through the smallest and most tried!
Yes, hope is an anchor for our soul, for it is tied to the love of God manifested in Jesus. Love is a way of life to be lived step by step, in the confidence that the Holy Spirit accompanies us even in our darkness.
Our vocation as Christians is to be witnesses of this hope: ‘Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you’ (1 Peter 3:15).
Prayers
One day will come, Lord, your day
when you will gather all of humanity
around you in an endless celebration
where everyone will dance and rejoice.
May this blessed day come soon
and put an end to the procession of violence and suffering!
This day begins discreetly
when I look at those you put in my path,
with gestures that express your welcome
and share your word.
Lord, make me a craftsman of this great day,
in the course of the little days
that your patience and your love give me!
****
In these times of great renunciation,
We remember your coming.
A small shoot springing from a root,
you come to us not with the strength of the powerful
but in the simplicity of a child.
Silence within us the cries of this world
which overwhelm us with their demands!
Give us eyes to see grow
the shoot that nobody notices!
In these times of great anxiety,
you repeat to us as you did to the shepherds in Bethlehem
and as you did to the women at the empty tomb:
‘Trust, do not be afraid!
‘I am above you to bless you,
with you to guide you,
in your midst to encourage you
and in you to renew you‘.
***
If you are Emmanuel,
you live with us
and walk among us.
In these troubled times, what do you desire for us?
In the Holy Spirit
you speak a single word to me:
‘Take care’!
You say to me:
‘Take care of your relationship with me,
May silence and prayer dwell within you!
Take care of your relationship with others,
May justice and honesty guide you!
Take care of your relationship with yourself,
May sobriety and integrity enliven you!
Take care of your relationship with my creation,
May respect and wonder inspire you!
I say this to you,
but also to all those
who walk with you
towards my Father and your Father.
I walk among you
and take care of you
so that this one word
may become real:
‘Take care’.
So keep me among you
by taking care of each other!
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