Hoping in the Lord

All the nations will come

and worship before you,

for your righteous acts have been revealed. // Revelation 15:4

I talked to my mom yesterday on the phone—she struggled to form the words she wanted to speak as her ALS is steadily destroying her nerves and limiting her physical abilities. We used to have deep spiritual conversations and I am not sure how many more months we have. Her illness is progressing, and I wish it would stop and go away. 

My husband and I spent a day with dear college friends this summer—our children playing with theirs while we shared meals, drinks, and deep conversations. I wish they did not live ten hours away.

I went to my brother’s beautiful wedding Mass earlier this year. He was the image of the magnanimous bridegroom, his love for his bride emanating from his being, and the love of the guests overflowing for the two of them. It was an anticipation of the Heavenly banquet-—no one wanted the day to end and we left the reception way past bedtime.

I have been blessed in my life to have formed deep, faith-based relationships in the different places I have lived—within my family and with friends. And then there are the people I have bonded with at a retreat or a conference, or met briefly, whom I know I would be close friends with if they lived nearby. Sometimes I am overwhelmed with an ache to just be with everyone I love—to be in community with them all forever.

Sister, perhaps you feel the same. The end of the liturgical year with Readings from the Book of Revelation promises us that this desire is not in vain. When I ache for my dear ones, I can turn that ache into an offering of hope, that one day, we will all be together, worshiping with the nations before God. For while death, distance, and differences in beliefs keep us apart for a time, the Lord is bigger than all of these limitations. He can change any heart, overcome any obstacle, and accomplish anything. Offer your loved ones to Him and ask the Lord to renew your hope today.