January 8, 2026 // Thursday After Epiphany
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Luke 4:14-22
Reflect on the Word //
“I hope you feel better!”
“I hope you have a great day!”
“I hope I pass my exam!”
“I hope I don’t get stuck in traffic!”
“I hope ______ works!”
Hope.
What do we really mean when we say we “hope”? Do we just want everything to work out, go our way, end well?
I often think that’s what I’m saying; then I have to remind myself that’s not Christian hope. True hope, in the end, isn’t a reliance on ourselves, on luck or fortune. Christian hope is the heart’s desire for God to grant us what we need to reach our end, eternal life in heaven.
Christian hope is not ours naturally speaking. It is a gift we receive, a theological virtue that enables us to trust that God is Who He says He is, and will fulfill His every promise, trusting Jesus accomplished our salvation and provides strength for the journey here and now.
This hope, this promise, this call to trust, is what Christ proclaims in today’s Gospel.
Do you want freedom from captivity, from slavery to sin? Christ is your hope.
He was sent to proclaim liberty to captive hearts (see Luke 4:18).
Do you want to see? Do you long to recognize His providence in your trials? Do you desire to see what He sees when He looks at you? Have you become blind to the true good that is within and around us?
He has come to restore sight to the blind (see Luke 4:18)!
Christ proclaims hope that this new year can be a year of favor, a year acceptable to the Lord (see Luke 4:19).
The Jubilee of Hope ended on the feast of the Epiphany, but Hope reigns forever in the hearts of those who believe.
Sister, the Lord invites us to hope in the One Who was sent to bring us freedom, to restore our sight that we might see and hope for the good things of Heaven, to obtain for us every grace, blessing, and healing we need to obtain the best end of all, eternal life in Heaven.
Relate to the Lord // How can you practice Christian hope today?
Sœur Maria Fatima est entrée chez les Sœurs dominicaines de Marie, Mère de l'Eucharistie en 2005 et enseigne la religion au collège dans l'Ohio. Elle est titulaire d'une maîtrise en théologie de l'École de théologie du Séminaire Saint-Paul. Elle prend plaisir à aider ses élèves à se rapprocher de Jésus par l'Eucharistie et à découvrir leur véritable identité en tant qu'enfants bien-aimés du Père. Elle a contribué à All She Had . En savoir plus sur elle ici .
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