our only hope
"Look! There is the Lamb of God!" —John 1:36
For generations we have fashioned a culture of death — step by step, war by war, abortion by abortion, injustice by injustice, sin by sin. Our seeds of unfaithfulness, lust, and greed have grown into a sickeningly rich harvest of injustice. Is there any hope?
In Christ alone there is hope. He is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29). Jesus is "the Messiah! (This term means the Anointed)" (Jn 1:41) and "Rabbi (which means Teacher)" (Jn 1:38). He is "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life" (Jn 14:6). He will call our names (see 1 Sm 3:4) and change our names (see Jn 1:42). In this Great Jubilee, Jesus will bring good news to the poor, "proclaim liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind and release to prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord" (Lk 4:18-19). Jesus is bringing down the culture of death and replacing it with a civilization of love and life.
There is hope; there is certain hope in Jesus — in Jesus alone. Alleluia!
Prayer: Father, thank You for Jesus: Life and Hope.
Promise: "You must know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, Who is within — the Spirit you have received from God. You are not your own. You have been purchased, and at a price. So glorify God in your body." —1 Cor 6:19-20
Praise: Praise Jesus, incarnate and risen Lord, Hope, and Life. "To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen" (2 Tm 4:18).
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, July 21, 1999
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 29, 1999