Embracing the Virtue of Hope
Advent is truly a season of hope. For those of you enjoying the Advent devotional from Blessed is She, you know that this season brings us a thrill of hope. Liz Kelly has done such a beautiful job showing us that the thrill of hope doesn’t necessarily mean sparkles and a perfect life. Instead, hope offers us God Himself, who is the object of all our desire and affection. He is the reason we can rejoice, even when the world feels weary.
The Anchor of Hope
As we explore hope, let’s consider the book of Hebrews, which offers us a powerful image of hope as an anchor. In Hebrews 6, we learn about the hope that Abraham had, and how he waited many years for God's promise to be fulfilled. Hope is described as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul—an anchor that keeps us secure in the Blessed Trinity, steady amidst life's storms.
Now, if our souls are like boats, where we choose to cast our anchor matters greatly. It’s tempting to cast our anchors close to the shore where we feel safe and in control. However, the best place to anchor is in the deep waters, where we must trust God and let go of our need for certainty. When we do this, we find God, the source of all truth, goodness, love, and intimacy.
Renewing Our Desire for God
Hope is not just about wishing for a better future; it’s about staking our happiness on God and His promises. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that hope is a theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness. When we desire life with God, we can endure life's challenges with a renewed spirit.
Each day, we must renew our desire for God and allow that desire to shape our present reality. What we believe about our future should transform how we live now. If we truly believe God has a future filled with hope for us, it should inspire confidence and joy in our daily lives.
The Gritty Nature of Hope
Hope is gritty. It involves action, perseverance, and often, hard work. It might look like getting out of bed when you’d rather stay under the covers, or choosing to love even when it feels pointless. Hope calls us to keep trying, to keep believing, and to keep moving forward, despite our circumstances.
In Hebrews, we find that hope requires endurance. Abraham serves as a model of hope, showing us that even when we falter, we can still trust in God's promises. We must remember that true hope is not passive; it’s a battle cry that demands resilience and strength.
Practical Ways to Cultivate Hope
As we navigate this Advent season and beyond, let’s consider some practical ways to cultivate hope in our lives:
- Create habits of consolation that will sustain you in desolation, such as daily prayer and the reception of the sacraments.
- Remember who God is. Knowing Him deepens our love and trust.
- Patiently endure small, everyday challenges. These moments can build our capacity for hope.
- Foster a holy community. Surround yourself with those who inspire you to hope.
- Avail yourself of the sacraments, which offer the grace we need to live in hope.
- Put a Saint in charge of you. Ask a Saint to guide you and help you maintain hope.
Advent is a season of hope, where we walk in step with the Israelites who hoped for the coming of the Messiah. As we await His coming, let’s remember that hope is a divine anchor, not a human guarantee. Trust in God's promises and lean into His love.
