In the Christian life, the old saying is true: "All's well that end's well." Some people are like the good thief who probably lived a terribly sinful life but repented moments before his death (Lk 23:42-43). Others may be like Judas Iscariot, who spent every day with Jesus for three years, but in the end betrayed Christ, committed suicide, and is probably damned.

Will each of us persevere in our faith? "We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of hope until the end" (Heb 6:11). We persevere because we hope. "In hope we were saved" (Rm 8:24). The Lord gives us hope by His promise and His oath (Heb 6:13, 16). "By two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to hold fast to the hope that lies before us" (Heb 6:18). Not only does faith come through hearing God's word (see Rm 10:17) but also hope comes by believing God's word. Believing God's promise and oath, we hold on to hope and refuse to let go until we are home in heaven with our Lord forever. We persevere because we "hope so." "Seize the hope" (Heb 6:18, NAB).

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend David L. Zink, June 12, 2002

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 13, 2002