It is a challenge to be hopeful these days! We seem to be surrounded by stories of tragedy, violence, ecological devastation, poverty and pessimism, to name just a few. At the same time, there is love and birth and joy around us as well.
Once again, as it was for Charles Dickens in nineteenth century England, “It is the best of times, and it is the worst of times.” The main thing about our time is simply that it is OUR time, our moment of grace, our now, right where we are; and so it is our time to be hope-filled.
Hope is a gift of the Holy Spirit of God, and it lies deep within us, waiting to be activated. In spite of popular misconceptions, hope has little to do with happy outcomes, the absence of problems, the coming of better times, even the achievement of peace and justice in the world. Christian hope is about knowing that we are one with the Holy One, and therefore with all others of creation too.
As I say this, I’m reminded of a little poem by Wendell Berry:
The incarnate Word is with us,
Is still speaking, is present
Always, yet leaves no sign
But everything that is.
Reprinted with permission courtesy of Dolores Hall
Spiritual Director at Providence Spirituality Centre www.spiritualitycentre.ca