Hope Is A Gift of God

Our hope comes from the fact that Jesus is alive, is with us and is on our side. The angel said, ‘Do not look for him among the dead.’ Hope doesn’t come from within ourselves. It is a gift of God, to be prayed for and to be welcomed with thanks. Hope is being able to ‘hum in the darkness’ and know we are not lost. It is to dig the garden, sure that next year’s plants will grow. It is to look at our children and enjoy the future that stretches out before them like a gift from God. It is to be sure that love can grow in marriage and that life can go on and develop in our hearts even if love fades. It is the hope shared by the people who care tirelessly for loved ones, for the people who don’t give up on the son or daughter in prison. We can think of many more hopes in life. 

Our hope is sure because of Jesus. We are of sure hope because he was raised from death, and because he is with us all days. We are of sure hope because of the gift of faith within us, and we can joyfully say, ‘Happy are we who have not seen but yet believe.’ The smile of the ascending Lord Jesus can bring a smile to our face.
Donal Neary SJ, The Sacred Heart Messenger, May 2024