THE DICTIONARY DEFINES “HOPE” as wanting something to be true or to happen.
The fulfillment of our hopes does not materialize from thin air. When hoping for something, we are hoping someone will fulfill our wishes, as when
hoping for a particular job, we hope that the employer or hiring manager will
think that our personality, traits and skills set will be an asset for the company. In the Bible, the word carries a profound meaning, that of confidently expecting the fulfillment of God’s promises. Thus, the Letter to the Romans in referring to Abraham, states, “He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become ‘the father of many nations,’ according to what was said, ‘Thus shall your descendants be.’” (Rm. 4:18)
God made this promise to Abraham when he was 100 years old. From a
natural point of view, what man would realistically think he could father a child at that age? And yet, Abraham hoped that God would accomplish this, and he received the fulfillment of the promise with the birth of his son Isaac.
What happens, though, when our hopes are dashed, and we do not receive
that for which we hoped? Countless people hoped that during the recent
blazing infernos in Los Angeles, their homes would be spared, and yet they
were reduced to ashes and rubble. Where was hope then? To answer this question, it is mandatory to distinguish between hope placed in a person, event or thing (worldly or secular hope) and the hope we place in God (spiritual or biblical hope). Since only God is God and we are not, no person can completely fulfill another’s hopes, no matter how excellent one is. God, however, is infinitely good, loving, powerful, understanding and wise, just to mention a few qualities, and completely aware of all the ramifications of fulfilling or not fulfilling our hopes, wanting only the best for us.
At our Baptism, God infused into our souls the three theological virtues of
faith, hope and charity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes hope as “…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.” (CCC, 1817)
When viewing hope through this lens, we can place our hope in God, knowing that no matter what occurs during our life, God is with us and brings good from it. Hope enables us to courageously face difficulties and even tragedies with perseverance, remembering, that “… all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Rm. 8:28)
Moses initiated a “Jubilee Year” well over three thousand years ago, intending every 50 years as a time of freedom from slavery, a return of the land to the original owners, and of rest for the land and its workers. (Leviticus 25:8-55)
Pope Francis gave the theme “Pilgrims of Hope” to the Jubilee Year 2025,
encouraging a renewal of hope in God and of unity. Let us help each other do so.
FOR YOUR FAMILY:
■ Research the history of Sabbatical Years and Jubilee Years in the Hebrew
Bible (Old Testament) and development in Christianity.
■ Learn about the specific acts of hope Pope Francis called for in 2025 and
how to fulfill them in your Diocese.
■ Share what brings you hope and how you can help others grow in hope.