hope springs eternal
"Your faith and hope, then, are centered in God." —1 Peter 1:21
The two disciples on the road to Emmaus said that they "were hoping" that Jesus would redeem Israel (Lk 24:21). The two disciples had lost hope when Jesus was crucified. Many of us likewise may be struggling to hold on to hope. We may feel that we have "toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent" our strength in our families, evangelization, work, or life in general (Is 49:4). We know that the Lord has promised that our "hope will not leave us disappointed," but we feel disappointed anyway (see Rm 5:5).
The two disciples on the road to Emmaus found their lost hope when their hearts were burning as Jesus interpreted the Scriptures for them (Lk 24:32) and when they recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread, which probably refers to the Eucharist (Lk 24:35). Our hope is in Jesus teaching us His word and giving us His body and blood.
However, we will not accept the power of the risen Christ to transform our lives until we yield to and receive the Holy Spirit in a new Pentecost. For example, Peter met the risen Christ several times, heard His words of life for years, and was even at the Last Supper. However, Peter put hope in Christ only when the Holy Spirit transformed Him at Pentecost (see Acts 2:14ff). By the Holy Spirit, we put our hope in Christ to the glory of the Father.
Prayer: Father, make me a messenger of hope in the "springtime of hope" prophesied by Pope John Paul II.
Promise: "Conduct yourselves reverently during your sojourn in a strange land. Realize that you were delivered from the futile way of life." —1 Pt 1:17-18
Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, Hope of the world forever! "This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad" (Ps 118:24). Alleluia!
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 12, 2004
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