As we celebrate the Jubilee of Hope, I invite you to consider finding concrete ways to live as people of hope in our daily lives.
Today, we start a new year in the Church, a new year of grace. This means every moment of this year—every second, minute, day, and month—is filled with God’s love and goodness. We’re not just remembering the past but stepping into God’s revealed life every step of the journey. Pope Francis invites us to prepare for 2025, naming it the Jubilee of Hope, a special year for us to celebrate and grow in hope (Spes nun Confundit, 2024). But what does it mean to be people of hope?
We all need the virtue of hope. Don’t we? It’s what keeps us going when life is hard. It helps us believe that things will get better. Most importantly, it is an anchorage in Christ, who is our hope (1 Timothy 1:1). And being in him grows confidence and trust in what comes, known or unknown. In the safe hands of Christ, the unknown is never a worry. Blessed assurance is ours.
Advent, the season we are in now, is about hope. In the words of the Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and Calendar, it’s a time of “devout and expectant delight” (n. 39).
Hope in God’s Promises
The reading from the prophet Jeremiah (33:14-16) is a message of hope. God promises to send a Savior, a “just shoot” from David’s family, who will bring justice and peace. This promise came true when Jesus was born. But God’s work didn’t stop 2000 years ago. He is still at work, bringing hope and healing today through people like you and me.
Seeing God’s plan is sometimes hard, especially when life feels uncertain or painful. How does a child who is tormented by her family’s brokenness feel a sense of clarity about God’s plan? Or how does an abjectly poor person who has not eaten in days feel a sense of hope?
Often, our frustrations could be better timing. God’s timing and planning are a complete package within which the whole picture is seen, and all the good things he promises are fully accounted for. We may not see it, but God sure does.
Another challenge is confusing hope with a sense of optimism. Optimism fails because it is as good as how faithful we are. On the other hand, hope in Christ does not fail because Christ is ever faithful. “Hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5).
Hope reminds us that God always keeps his promises. He doesn’t forget us. Just as he fulfilled his promise to send Jesus, he brings peace and joy to the wounded world and heart.
Letting God Transform Us
In his Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis, a famous English Christian writer of the early 20th century, tells a beautiful story about how God works in our lives. He says we’re like houses that God is rebuilding. At first, he fixes things we know need fixing, like leaks in the roof. But then he starts doing things that surprise us—knocking down walls, building new rooms, or adding towers. It might feel confusing or painful, but God isn’t just making us into better houses. He’s also turning us into a palace where he can live with us.
Sometimes, we want God to fix only small parts of our lives or provide one thing or another, which may be far less than what he plans to provide. However, God always has bigger plans for us. Hope helps us trust him, even when it’s hard.
In his First Letter to the Thessalonians, Saint Paul prays that we grow in love and holiness so that our hearts are ready for Jesus (3:12-4:2). “Hope is born of love and based on the love springing from the pierced heart of Jesus upon the cross” (Pope Francis, Spes nun Confundit, n. 3). God is working in each of us, shaping us into something more beautiful than we can imagine.
Looking Up with Hope
In the Gospel (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36), the Blessed Lord talks about scary signs—storms, confusion, and fear. But his words are filled with hope, too. “Stand up and lift your heads because your redemption is near” (v. 28). Jesus wants us to know that we don’t have to be afraid even when things seem dark. He makes all things right and all parts straight.
To be sure, hope doesn’t mean ignoring life’s problems. It means believing that God is with us in the middle of them. Hope is like a light shining in the dark, reminding us that the story isn’t over—God is still at work.
Sharing Hope with Others
As we prepare for the Jubilee of Hope, the Holy Father reminds us that hope isn’t just for us—it’s something we share. How can we embody and share hope? It doesn’t have to be something big. It might mean being kind to someone having a bad day, praying for a friend, or helping someone in need. Small acts of love can show people that God cares for them.
Think about a time when someone gave you hope. Maybe it was a kind word, a hug, or a helping hand. You can be that person for someone else. When we live with hope, we become like little lights shining in the world, helping others find their way in the lavish love of Christ.
During this Advent, let’s take some time to prepare our hearts for Jesus. Pray, go to Mass, listen to God’s Word, and live that Word in concrete ways. Ask the Lord to help you trust his plan, even when it’s hard. And look for ways to bring hope to others. Whenever you share love or kindness, you’re helping build the Kingdom of God.
Please consider supporting our ministry as we prepare for the Jubilee of Hope. Would you join us in providing one month’s worth of food to five thousand people in Africa and more in the United States? It would be our way of celebrating the jubilee.
Remember this: God is doing something unique in your life. You might not see it yet, but he is making you into something beautiful. Stand tall, lift your head, and trust that your redemption is near. Above all, “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all” (1 Thessalonians 3:12). Amen. As the Holy Father advocates: “Through our witness, may hope spread to all those who anxiously seek it” (Spes nun Confundit, n. 25).
[Reading for the First Sunday of Advent: Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36]
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