Finding hope


Day Of Hope | Days Of The Year

"Speak words of hope. Be human in this most inhuman of ages." Thomas Merton

Merton probably wrote those words in the 1950's. They are even more urgent today in our divided country, in the midst of a pandemic, and where violence is everywhere. When I hear the news  of the virus spiking in our country, the rise in crime and murder in many cities, and the racism rampant in so many places, it is hard to have hope.

Where can we find hope? For me, each new morning is a sign of hope, a time to welcome another day of life, a time to start over, a time to be thankful. Hope is planting seeds of goodness and peace in soil that is scrabbly and rocky, and being willing to wait for them to sprout and grow in surprising new ways.

Scripture and Jesus' words comfort me when I feel desperate or fearful. "Do not be afraid. I will be with you." (Mt.17:6-7) "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you."(Ps. 55:22). When the apostles faced a terrible storm on the sea, Jesus calmed the roaring waves. He also can calm the storms in our lives -- Covid 19, the death of loved ones, especially through violence, loss of employment, domestic abuse, mental anguish, and others. Even when we can hardly hang on and injustice seems to have the upper hand, Jesus is there to hold us up -- to respond in ways that we often do not understand.

To be human in this inhuman age is another challenge. When we listen to others' stories, when we respond with kindness in the midst of turmoil, when we can speak the truth in conflict, when we spread love instead of hate, we show what it means to be human. It is easier to close in on ourselves and give up, but Jesus shows us how to face obstacles with courage and trust.

May we speak words of hope and peace in these troubled times. May we never lose our humanness as we face the confusion around us.



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