Hope Does Not Disappoint

by Deacon Marty

Hope does not disappoint. (Romans 5:5). This is only part of a verse in Paul’s letter to the Romans. It continues to say, “because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”

So what is this all about? Recently I was in a conversation that centered around hope, or the lack thereof. Our lives over the last couple of years have dramatically been affected by many of the world’s woes. Covid, political division, even in the midst of our own families, we seem to all be feeling the strain of influences we have little control over and its coupled with an abundance of opinions. I’ve even heard the comment, “I’m not sure I want to be part of a faith that relies so heavily on hope.”

Paul’s letter continues to tell us, “that when we were helpless, at the appointed time, Christ died for the godless.” This, my brothers and sisters, is at the center of our lives. Jesus brings hope to the hopeless. He never leaves us alone. No matter what our situation, the love of God has been poured into our hearts and that is permanent, our problems are always temporary. I use this reading many times at funerals, when hope seems to be at its lowest. If we could only trust and put our hope in Christ, we’d recognize that He truly is always present in our lives, and that is not only a reason to hope, but also a reason to celebrate.

You see my friends that despair and the feeling of hopelessness is a tool of evil. Our belief in a risen Lord and the promise made by that same risen Lord of eternal life, gives us the ultimate tool against evil. Hope is not a kid’s game, confused or mingled with fairy tales. No, it is one of the three theological virtues along with faith and charity, that God grants to us. We need to ask for God’s grace, so we may be filled with faith, hope and love. Hope, the second of these theological virtues, creates a desire for eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Hope signifies a trust that Christ’s promises are real.

So dear friends, hope is much more than,” I hope… fill in the blank”, no hope is a great theological gift that works, alongside faith and love, that help prepare a soul for a life devoted and leading to God.

We can and must look past our earthly problems and look forward to our eternal life in Heaven. Because of Jesus we can use the phrase,” here’s hoping “ with a sure and certain belief of living with Him forever.

Peace,
Deacon Marty