Hope and New Year.

Hope and New Year.
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A bicycle can move only if both the wheels are fit to move.

So is a four Wheeler.

So is our spiritual vehicle which is a three wheeler,

the wheels being

Faith,

Hope,

and

Charity.

By Faith we believe that God is our Creator and that we have been created to love and serve Him.

By Hope we are sure that God will reward our love and service for Him with eternal union with Him.

By Charity we love God and our neighbour.

Many people, who have high  regard for
Faith and Love, don't think much  about hope.

Of course they may say that if we believe in God and love Him,  we will go to Heaven .

The last  clause refers to hope,

but, they don't personalize it.

If they did,

at the times of suffering and distress,

they would think about heaven,

not the sufferings.

They would say, "If I suffer for Jesus, surely I will one day  be in heaven."

The thought of heaven will have soothing effect at the time of distress.

Just as a student works hard with the hope of scoring high marks in the final exam,

a good follower Jesus will carry his cross

with the strong hope of resurrection after crucifixion.

Hope's role is as essential as that of faith and love.

Suppose a man is journeying home from a foreign country.

Being a long one, the journey may be a bit tedious.

The only thought that would bring him  happiness would be the hope,

''By this time tomorrow I will be at home with my beloved."

The same can be applied to our spiritual journey, with our cross on our shoulders.

Our beloved Saviour is eagerly awaiting our arrival with  eternal bliss for us!

According to St. Thomas Aquinas,

hope is the virtue that grounds us in eternity.

He says,

"When we are tossed about by the storms of this world,

we should be held fast to that hope as an anchor,

for, God wills that the anchor of our hope be fixed in that which is now veiled from our eyes”

The gift of Hope reminds us of the words and promises of Our  Lord Jesus Christ

and allows us to believe that they will happen.

The past year might have had moments of trials and tribulations.

Jesus being with us,

we must hope for a bright future in the years to come.

Jesus,  'The light of the world',

will enable us, 

by the brightness He sheds on us, 

to see our future as really as it is

according to God's will .

In the light of Jesus,

trials and tribulations will be His blessings,

as they will increase our eternal happiness,

if accepted as His cross,

gifted  to us,

to be borne for His love.

Blessed Henry Suso, O.P. writes:

" Jesus, I look everywhere for your divinity,

but you show me your humanity;

I desire your sweetness,

but you offer me bitterness;

I want to suckle,

but you teach me to fight.”

 

Our Lord responds,  “Away with faintheartedness.

  and enter with me the lists of knightly steadfastness.

Indulgence is not fitting for the servant

when the lord is practicing warlike boldness.

I shall clothe you with my armour

because all my suffering has to be endured by you as far as you are able.”

Jesus  is with us as a warrior.

When we receive Him in Holy Communion,

His very life flows through our veins.

Therefore, no matter how great the trials and challenges we face in the new year are,

we must be prepared to endure and overcome them

by renewing our hope in Him,

and

allowing him

to stir our hearts

to boldness and zeal

for the kingdom of God.

We must hope

that our Faith and Charity

will surely lead us into heaven,

to be united with God for all eternity.

Lourdu Selvam.