Hope
The journey of life will not come to a dead end, but will lead us to our Father's house.
Reading (John 11: 20-27)
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. When she saw him she said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother Lazarus would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God he will give you."Jesus said to her, "Your brother Lazarus will rise."
She said in answer, "I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day."
Then Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live; and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
Martha replied, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world."
Song (Psalm 16)
I bless the Lord who counsels me;
Even at night my heart exhorts me.
I keep the Lord always before me;
With the Lord at my right hand
I shall never be shaken.Therefore, my heart is glad, my soul rejoices;
My body also rests secure.
For you will not abandon me to Sheol,
Nor let your faithful servant see the pit.
You will show me the path to life,
Abounding joy in your presence,
Delights at your right hand forever.
Reflection
Man living in the world faces a choice between hope and despair. He can live with the conviction that his life has meaning and will one day be fulfilled; or he can make his way aimlessly through life with nothing to look forward to.The man without hope is barely alive. His wish is to lie down in sleep and never wake up. His desire is to one day cease to be. Man reaches this state of despair when he refuses to be touched by love, when he chooses to be alone in the world and love no one.
The man of hope is one who has been loved and has loved in return, and desires that this love be without end. This love has given him the assurance that the journey of life will not come to a dead end, but will lead him to his Father's house, from whence he was first loved. He knows that there he will find eternal happiness, for he will find fulfillment in the never ending love of God.
Prayer
God our Father, you are the source of hope for a world in darkness and despair, for you give us the promise of eternal life. You sent your beloved Son to be a light to the world and to lead us on the sure path to happiness. May we remain faithful to his word until our hope is fulfilled in heaven.
Read a prayer of hope