{"id":9916,"date":"2026-08-26T18:02:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T16:02:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/predication.net\/?p=9916"},"modified":"2026-08-26T18:02:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T16:02:19","slug":"hope-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/predication.net\/?p=9916","title":{"rendered":"Hope"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/h2>\n

St. Thomas Aquinas says that the only object of our hope is eternal bliss in God. Therefore, we should not hope for anything less than He Himself.<\/h2>\n

But let us look at ourselves. Can I be saved? Do I have that hope when I look at my own life, at the many things I fail at, at the awareness of my own sinfulness? We also ask ourselves as people asked when John the Baptist was born: What will this child become? (cf. Luke 1:66) However, there is an essential difference here. The question about John was full of hope. “What then will this child be?” was strongly felt with the sense that \u201cIndeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.\u201d But in our case, the question is more connected with fear and despair. What will happen to me, a poor sinner? We ask, like St. Paul in his Letter to the Romans, when he reflects on doing not the good he wants, but the evil he does not want. \u201cWretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?\u201d (Romans 7:24).<\/h2>\n

So how to have hope when looking at oneself and one\u2019s own sinfulness?<\/h2>\n

As a priest, I have one extraordinary privilege that others often do not have. I have the grace to be close to people. Believers come for spiritual conversations and in doing so they bestow upon me a very beautiful and fragile gift\u2014their inner self. It is hard to put into words how wonderful it is to assist God in the most amazing work, in the formation of conscience, in the salvation of a person. And during this activity, I meet many beautiful souls. I marvel at the longing for God hidden in many believers. I am amazed by the strength and courage with which many fight and search. I take my hat off to the bravery and determination of many others.<\/h2>\n

I meet young people from all kinds of family backgrounds. They have every predisposition to become losers, outcasts, failed people. Yet they are full of ideals, enthusiasm, desire for goodness and beauty. It is there, deep in their hearts. It is very fragile. They long to express it, but they are afraid. Therefore, no one knows about their rich and beautiful inner life. Similarly, I meet people full of energy and enthusiasm, people full of longing for God, people full of creativity and engagement. People willing to change and longing for someone to form them. In many, there is a huge hunger for the spiritual.<\/h2>\n

I meet people living in marriage, parents who on one hand are discouraged by what they fail to manage, but on the other hand are full of desire for the right way of life. People who sincerely regret their repeated failures and deeply appreciate their spouses for enduring with them despite everything. I meet people who do not bury their heads in the sand but face challenges and fight. I meet people faithful to God and the Church, even though they have been disappointed many times by priests. I meet elderly people who have lived many years together and now take care of each other. They endure each other’s whims, get on each other’s nerves, but still cannot live without each other.<\/h2>\n

But, as in every story, there is one “but.” I perceive all these things and others likely do as well. But the person in question does not see it at all or cannot appreciate it. Therefore, it happens that when I mention a reality I value, the person is surprised and does not want to believe it. Or they consider it completely normal, saying, \u201cEveryone should do this. What\u2019s so special about doing what I have to?\u201d I do not wonder at this reaction at all. Because in this situation they react exactly as I do when my spiritual guide points out some good quality in me. I must admit it feels good, even though it is hard to believe.<\/h2>\n

Here we come to the fact that helps us to see ourselves with hope for salvation. We do not have a truthful view of ourselves. We either overestimate or underestimate ourselves. Either we are overly proud or we put ourselves down. But the view of another can help us see ourselves more truthfully. That is why God called us into community, to help one another grow. I have the opportunity to discover good in another person and motivate them to discover, develop, and put that good into practice. But at the same time, I also need this service from another person. Someone who looks at me with hope. So there is a double challenge\u2014to give hope and to be willing to accept words of hope. The primary role of spouses is to sanctify each other. Among other things, this means appreciating the good in the other person and thereby motivating them to do the right thing. We give them hope that they too can be saved.<\/h2>\n

Not only spouses can show this service. Friends can do it too. Since the holidays are coming, and I will not be preparing catechesis, I give you a task: Be hope for each other. Be appreciative toward the people in your oikos (household\/community). Discover the good in them and try to overcome shyness, thinking it is inappropriate or embarrassing, worrying about what others might think, and praise and encourage them.<\/h2>\n

Has anyone ever looked at me with hope? What was that feeling? Did I believe them?<\/h2>\n

Can I gratefully accept praise and encouragement from someone?<\/h2>\n

Do I look at others with hope?<\/h2>\n

Do I try to discover the good in the other and motivate them to do good?<\/h2>\n

Do I appreciate my neighbors?<\/h2>\n

What stops me from expressing words of recognition, gratitude, praise, admiration?<\/h2>\n

What good have I noticed lately in my partner? \/For those not married, in the closest person?\/ Have I told them?<\/h2>\n

—<\/p>\n

Let me know if you want me to help with anything else!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

St. Thomas Aquinas says that the only object of our hope is eternal bliss in God. Therefore, we should not hope for anything less than He Himself. But let us look at ourselves. Can I be saved? 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