In a recent essay called “Blessed Hope,” America Magazine editor in chief Fr. Matt Malone, S.J. explores Hope. He writes: “Faith and politics are not merely complimentary; they are inextricably intertwined. Each needs the other to be fully what it is meant to be. The raison dêtre (reason for being) of all political questions is our hope that the world can change. This is translated into Christian terms as ‘the world can be saved, the world is in fact worth saving.’ This political hope finds its motive force in our ultimate hope, our faith in the One we call ‘our Blessed Hope,’ the One who has already saved the world and thus has conclusively demonstrated it is worth saving.”
It is the Hope that Jesus gave us (and gives us) that should orient our lives to a better future. Can we ask for God’s grace to remind us of what makes for genuine peace, which is a fruit of our hope? Next time we reach for our phones to look at social media, can we instead call up an examination of conscience and use it to turn to prayer? Can we switch off the news and instead listen deeply to friends and family? When we encounter someone who holds views that are opposed to ours, can we stay curious to learn more about what experiences and values inform their views?
Hope is not a blessing that floats gently from the heavens and answers all of our questions. Hope is work, the kind of work that God first inspires and then helps us accomplish. Is the world worth saving? Of course, it is! Let’s get to work, cooperating with God in the effort.
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Today is the feastday of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. To find a brief biography, see: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-elizabeth-of-hungary
