The mere sound of the word hope speaks of something not lost, but rather an expectation of the thing lost will be found. The idea is full of gentle positivity almost assurance.
When we put this word into the relationship, we could share with God it seems even more positive, there is a resonance which speaks to and assures our heart our spirit that all will be well .
It gives warmth to the cold of fear, and it pursues a positive outlook to growth -and when put into this same “God us” relationship it can only positively grow and get stronger.
I think one of the difficulties here is that we can find it easier to let God do all the work, I don’t say this as a criticism more of reflection on the fact that we are human not perfect and perhaps we look for an easier way of building this relationship -effort isn’t always easy but the result of putting effort into this most special of relationships can work wonders.
By letting God partner us in this journey hope grows stronger and the evidence for this is the benefits we gain from partaking of the Sacraments.
There is a real sense of Gods nearness Gods warmth Gods love, enabling us to pursue with confidence that we thought difficult even impossible . We realise I think the enormity of he who loves beyond belief and by having this in our heart we have the courage to pursue and reciprocate that very same love, it’s a love that has hope at its very heart and hope combined with prayer can achieve so much in our spiritual life.
Padre Pio tells us to hope pray and not to worry, making clear I think the importance of hope in our lives.
This little word that speaks of something not lost but rather an expectation that the thing lost can be found-the crucifix is the most beautiful witness to hope. The hope that mankind wished and hoped so much for- enabled the fixing of that broken that most special relationship with God bought for us by HIS Sacrifice on the Cross our greatest hope of all.
Fr David Murray
