HOPE IS A VERB, NOT A FEELING | KAIROS GLOBAL | APRIL 2024

Author: Tena Conil

Intro: How can Christian hope become a life-pillar in a post-pandemic world? Tena Conil walks us through Scripture, the Catechism, and the encyclical Spe Salvi to find out.

The article’s title are words of world-renowned anti-apartheid champion and South African Anglican Bishop, Desmond Tutu, of happy memory. Hope is perhaps an undervalued and an often-misunderstood virtue in our lives. Yet in a post-pandemic world, amidst the rapid, systemic decline in moral values across civic, academic and cultural structures, it is this precise, divine faculty that can steer us ahead to eternity in perfect peace and harmony.

You mean, Hope is a virtue?

The iconic comedian and Hollywood actor, Robin Williams was known for his movies like Night at the Museum, Mrs. Doubtfire, etc., and as a favourite guest on many TV talk shows. His outrageous characters, quick wit and improvisation skills made him a widely beloved entertainer, who could bring laughter and joy to anyone he encountered. However, our outward appearances don’t always reflect our internal reality. Williams battled depression and anxiety for many years and in 2014 tragically ended his own life. How does such a person’s extraordinary wit and humour not lead to positive thinking and mental well-being? 

The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word ‘Hope’ as: ‘To entertain expectation of something desired; to look (mentally) with expectation.’ The mainstream, academic understanding of the word therefore denotes something which is a mental activity. Books on optimism and the power of positive thinking are all-time best sellers. However, the Church teaches us that hope in Christian life is something entirely different. 

To start with, it is a virtue – a gift of God; and along with faith and charity, is one of the three theological virtues. These three are special virtues infused in us by God and enables us to relate to him. And here’s the incredible part – they are called ‘theological’ because they lead us directly to God and help us love him personally! This is why we have these represented as three beads at the beginning of the Rosary. The Apostle Paul blesses the Roman Christians saying: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). Through it, ‘we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit’ (CCC 1817).

Hope is not mere optimism, but a firm trust in God's faithfulness. Through hope, we find strength in difficult times and persevere in our journey towards holiness. St Paul talks relentlessly about the virtue of hope in his epistles: Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer (Romans 12:12). It gives us a sense of purpose and meaning, enabling us to live with joyful anticipation of God's fulfilment. This is why St Paul calls it a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul which leads us behind the curtain – past the confines of time and space where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf... (Hebrews 6:19-20). By his victory over sin and death, Christ has opened the way of hope, for us to approach God with confidence.

Authentic Faith is Divine Hope

Hope is such a key word in the Bible, that in several passages the words ‘faith’ and ‘hope’ seem interchangeable! Returning to the Apostle Paul, he points out how our full assurance of faith comes from the confession of our hope without wavering (Hebrews 10:22-23). St Peter also refers to these two virtues – faith and hope as if they were spiritual synonyms: Always be prepared to make a defence to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you… (1 Peter 3:15). As Christians with divine hope, we have what nobody else has – a faith that is completely trustworthy. This is what set apart the early Christians, who in the face of adversity and persecution, did not grieve as others do who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

Spe Salvi – Saved by Hope

Growing in his fascination of this spectacular virtue, St Paul boldly asserts, that it is in hope we were saved (Romans 8:24). How can we say that by simply possessing this virtue, we are redeemed? The teaching pope – Pope Benedict XVI of happy memory examines this question in his encyclical dedicate to hope – Spe Salvi. Our ultimate hope is to be united with God in heaven. He teaches us that the hope of eternal life gives us purpose and direction in this earthly existence. It redeems us by propelling us through the darkness of present limitations with confident expectation in God's assurance of a bright and glorious future. ‘By living in hope, we overcome the negativity that threatens to engulf us… and from the ever-present shadows of death and suffering.’ (Spe Salvi, 35). The virtue of hope provides us a sense of purpose, strength, and trust that can help us overcome the challenges of life and find redemption in God's trustworthy Word. ‘Hope teaches us to see the future not with fear, but with trust. It opens up for us the possibility of a future that is bright and new, in which God will wipe away every tear from our eyes.’ (Spe Salvi, 35)

Authentic Hope takes Work

While hope is a divine gift from God, through cooperating with the Holy Spirit and his divine grace, we can open ourselves to receive and nurture this amazing virtue in us. Here are five regular hope habits that can help:

1. PRAYER: Regular prayer is the basic necessity to learn hope. Through prayer, we communicate with God, express our desires, seek his guidance, and deepen our relationship with him. ‘When no one listens to me anymore, God still listens to me. When I can no longer talk to anyone or call upon anyone, I can always talk to God. When there is no longer anyone to help me deal with a need or expectation that goes beyond the human capacity for hope, he can help me’ (Spe Salvi). Set aside dedicated time each day for prayer, whether it's in the morning, evening, or throughout the day, to foster a habit of turning to God in hope.

2. SCRIPTURE READING: Reading and meditating on the Word of God nourishes our hope. Scripture is ‘the source and foundation of Christian hope… (and) a guiding light, illuminating the path towards hope and salvation’ (Spe Salvi). Make it a habit to read and reflect on Scripture regularly, allowing God's Word to inspire and strengthen your hope.

3. SACRAMENTS: Participating in the sacraments – especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, is vital for growing hope within us. The Eucharist nourishes our souls and unites us with Christ – our ultimate hope. Reconciliation restores our relationship with God when we have fallen short, renewing our hope in his mercy. Regular reception of these sacraments helps open us constantly to God's grace and deepens the virtue of hope in us, integrating it into our lives.

4. COMMUNITY: As youth it is vital to connect to a peer-group with shared gospel values and convictions. It is more so with a community living out a shared hope. Surrounding ourselves with a supportive faith community can sustain our hope. Engage with fellow believers who can encourage and inspire you on your journey of hope. Participate in Mass, join a prayer group, or get involved in parish activities to foster a sense of belonging and shared hope.

5. CHARITY AND SERVICE: Hope is not passive but leads to active love and service of others (Spe Salvi, 35). By reaching out to those in need, we become instruments of hope and witness God's love to others. Christian charity and service are distinct from purely social or political action. Charity rooted in Christ's love offers a deeper motivation and a more personal touch than mere social service (Spe Salvi, 29). Regularly seek opportunities to serve others, whether through volunteering, acts of kindness, or supporting charitable causes, as it strengthens our hope and deepens our understanding of God's goodness.

Missionary Heralds of Hope 

Hope is such good news, because through it we become God’s very relatives! The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints (Ephesians 1:18). How does this virtue set us apart? The very way we live with hope acts as a powerful witness to others. We bounce back from adversities, our joy, confidence, and resilience becomes a witness to the transformative power of Christian hope. 'In union with faith and charity, hope propels us towards a sure future... (against) the illusory enticements of the idols of this world yet granting new momentum and strength to our daily lives.... Let us refuse to be robbed of hope... for even if our dwelling place here below is wasting away, we have an eternal dwelling place which God has already prepared in Christ' (Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei). In a world rendered hopeless by ‘social situations and institutions that are contrary to the divine goodness’ (CCC 1869), we are called and sent out as missionaries to be a witness to hope. Hit the road, HopeSquad!

An Integrated Creative Director by profession, Tena Conil has been involved in Catholic ministry since 1987. He is a youth formator, author, pro-lifer, husband and father of three from Trivandrum, India.