With the magnificent feast of Christ the King just around the corner, I found myself reflecting on the liturgical year and what seemed like a journey on the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales with its peaks and troughs, its rugged landscape and peaceful meadows.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that hope, ‘keeps man from discouragement; it sustains him during times of abandonment; it opens up his heart in expectation of eternal beatitude. Buoyed up by hope, he is preserved from selfishness and led to the happiness that flows from charity’ (paragraph 1818).
With hope accompanying us along life’s journey, we are encouraged to simply take the next step, even if we cannot see where it leads. The parable of the woman in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 15.8) who lost a coin, lives the hope she has, by taking the next step; by lighting a lamp and sweeping the house searching carefully, until she finds the coin. In my journey, taking the next step dispelled discouragement and inspired me to be present to each moment and not be overwhelmed by the infinite possibilities that lay before me.
With hope beside us, we are not alone when faced with challenges on our journey. The parable of the Forgiving Father in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 15.11-24) tells us of the son who having experienced abandonment, chooses the road of hope and forgiveness as he returns, repentantly to his father. In difficult times, hope, encouraged me to persevere, knowing that all things are passing.
With hope before us, we trust that ‘we are exactly where we are meant to be’ (St. Teresa of Jesus) and therefore on the path to fulfillment of Joy in God.
Upheld by hope, we learn to take our eyes off ourselves, letting go, and allowing God to work through us. Our journey is not about where we are, or how close we are to our destination, or the intensity of our experiences. It is rather about who we are becoming as we are being transformed into the image of God, allowing His love to be expressed, and bringing heaven on earth.
Indeed, ‘Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.’ (Romans 5.5)
Lourdes Crabtree, T.O.Carm. Toronto, Canada.
Executive Director, Carmelite Institute of North America
