Before we totally committed our lives to Jesus, we walked in the valley of hopelessness. Life in general seemed hopeless. To cope with this, we would retreat to what we thought were bastions of hope — our children, work, marriages, or a special activity. These rays of hope usually dimmed. So we tried to constantly distract ourselves or alter our consciousness to ignore the gnawing and sometimes savage hopelessness within us. When we saw someone hopeful, we were either cynical or wanted to ask him to defend his hope (1 Pt 3:15).
When we gave our lives to Jesus, we had “Christ in” us, our “hope of glory” (Col 1:27). We knew that God had planned for us “a future full of hope” (Jer 29:11). We also believed that this hope would not disappoint us (Rm 5:5). Nonetheless, we now have different types of temptation to give into hopelessness. For example, when we see weeds in the field of God’s kingdom (see Mt 13:24ff), it can lead us to discouragement and even hopelessness. Moreover, when we see that our work for God’s kingdom has miniscule effects like the tiny mustard seed and slow, imperceptible effects like the work of leaven (see Mt 13:31-33), we are easily tempted to give up hope. But the Lord continues to fill us with hope. Therefore, “rejoice in hope, be patient under trial, persevere in prayer” (Rm 12:12).

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from June 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio September 18, 2019"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.