Day 22: Hope

Turn the news on the television, stroll through social media, or simply look around in your community, and you will be overwhelmed by the sadness of the news, the divisive rhetoric, and the human suffering.

It is understandable why one would remove such negativity from their life. It is hard enough some days to accomplish the tasks you are already responsible for, not even counting or considering the problems of the world.

Yet, there we find Jesus. Not only in the midst of our own challenges, but in all the others who are suffering, and yes, in those who are causing the suffering.

The great saints teach us to live in the juxtaposition, to hold in tension the darkness and the light. To see the world, with all of its suffering, and still notice the rising sun, the first signs of spring, and the simple and the gentle among you.

Jesus teaches us how to do this, to find the time to rest and pray, to discern and wonder. He also teaches us how to reach out to those on the margins, to stand up to the hypocrisy and the injustice.

One can only do this by cloaking oneself with the blanket of hope. To try to trust that God is in control, leading us down the broken and at times, dangerous roads all with the purpose of being a sign of peace and love.

May this video from my friends, Gen Verde, lift your spirits and motivate you to have and bring hope to all.