Pope Benedict, in his encyclical Spe salvi (“Saved in hope”), writes: “According to the Christian faith, ‘redemption’ — salvation — is not simply a given. Redemption is offered to us in the sense that we have been given hope, trustworthy hope, by virtue of which we can face our present: the present, even if it is arduous, can be lived and accepted if it leads towards a goal, if we can be sure of this goal, and if this goal is great enough to justify the effort of the journey.” (1)

Brothers and sisters, let us live this virtue boldly and manifestly. Others should be able to shout the words of Isaiah: “Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, they that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.” (Is 40:30-31)

Let us lead others to this same hope. Pope Francis in his Spes non confundit (“Hope does not disappoint”) opening this year’s Jubilee of Hope, suggests some practical ways to do this: “each of us may be able to offer a smile, a small gesture of friendship, a kind look, a ready ear, a good deed, in the knowledge that, in the Spirit of Jesus, these can become, for those who receive them, rich seeds of hope.” (18)

It is integral to this virtue of hope that it seeks communion both in heaven and in the here and now. 

Benedict writes: “Hope in a Christian sense is always hope for others as well…. It is an active hope also in the sense that we keep the world open to God. Only in this way does it continue to be a truly human hope” (Spe salvi  34).

And so, brothers and sisters, let us persevere and do so joyfully for that is the clearest manifestation of holy hope. 

Mary is a model for us. Father Gerard D’Souza gave our Michigan-Ohio Bishops’ Retreat this past May, and his final talk was on Mary and hope. He wanted us also to give birth to the Messiah, the means of all hope. Father Gerard noted that Mary is not feeling trapped by her encounter with Gabriel. Rather, she is happy and thus cries out, “Let this happen to me.” She makes herself completely available to God and the working of the Holy Spirit. With haste, she hurried to her cousin. Does haste move us forward since this gift of hope gives us such joy? Be with Mary, even in trials, as we hear the words of her Son, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33) A blessed Christmas to all of you.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Rev. Earl Boyea

Bishop of Lansing