Dearest friends,
Recently, I was in the company of some friends and our discussion centred on HOPE. As the discussion progressed, I noticed that majority of them were talking about Hope in relation to the temporal wellbeing of the human person. For example, that someone is facing serious hardship but with hope that things would turn around and he/she would begin to enjoy better material wellbeing.
After this our discussion, I kept on ruminating on the above view and came to a conclusion that such can be best described as ‘EARTHBOUND HOPE’, and that seems to be a prevalent understanding of Hope among a number of Christians today. However, the truth is that while Hope may, by extension, include such view, but that is not what the CHRISTIAN HOPE is all about.
👉🏼Now, the CHRISTIAN HOPE has Resurrection/eternal life as its ultimate objective. The above is made clearer in its Catechetical presentation thus:
HOPE is the theological virtue by which 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 (cf. CCC n. 1817).
So, Christian Hope does not necessarily promise EARTHLY RICHES. This explains why some of the saints were not materially rich but their sustained Hope won them eternal life. Thus , the Catechism affirms:
CHRISTIAN HOPE unfolds from the beginning of Jesus’ preaching in the proclamation of the BEATITUDES. The beatitudes raise our HOPE toward heaven as the new Promised Land; they trace the path that leads through the TRIALS that await the disciples of Jesus (cf. CCC n. 1820).
Christians who do not understand the above are likely to grow lukewarm in their Christian life when they do not meet material wellbeing. This is majorly part of the reason why a number of Christians today, especially the youths, are running after all sorts of fetish and ritual practices. For such persons, the Christian religion has dashed their supposed ‘HOPE’ for a better material future on the ground.
👉🏼 Yes, Christ’s Death and Resurrection assure us that if keep our Faith and Hope alive, we would equally be raised into ETERNAL LIFE after our earthly struggles (cf. 1 Cor 15:12.16-20, Rom 8:11, CCC n. 1820).
Therefore, there is an urgent need for reorientation and renewed CATECHESIS on what the Christian Hope is all about, especially in this JUBILEE YEAR of HOPE.
We pray the Blessed Virgin Mary to always support us with her powerful intercession. Amen🙏🏼
(CATECHESIS (NKUZI NKE OKWUKWE) FOR THE 6TH SUNDAY, YEAR C
READINGS: R1 Jer 17:5-8, R2 1 Cor 15:12. 16-20, Gosp Lk 6:17. 20-26)
Happy Sunday and remain blessed!
