April 2016 E-pistle
Thoughts
In Spring, nature teaches us the lessen of hope. Darkness ends and light shines forth. Death gives way to new life. We are to live in hope. Not only the hope of better days to come after a dark time. But also the absolute assurance that our destiny is eternal peace and joy with God. Hope calls us to live with the realistic expectation of heaven. We may not feel hope, yet we must live in hope. We have been saved! We are being saved! We will be saved!
Challenge
This month, focus on hope. Dwell not on challenges, but on blessings in your life. Take note of the wonders of spring. Remind yourself over and over how beautiful you are in God’s eyes and how much He loves you. Speak the words of truth out loud: “I am made in God’s image! God loves me! I am awesome! I am called to live eternally in joy with Him!”
Go Deeper
+ Pope Benedict’s encyclical In hope we were saved (Spes salvi)
+ The Theological Virtue of Hope defined in the Catechism CCC 1871-1821
+ St. Maximilian Kolbe and the Theological Virtue of Hope (includes a video)
+ Articles addressing St. John Paul II on hope: Man Needs Hope to Live + A Pope’s Answer to the Problem of Pain
+ Article: Hope in a Time of Darkness and Despair
+ Pope Francis Christian hope a light for the world + Full text
+ St. John Paul II’s book: Crossing the Threshold of Hope
+ Mike Pacer’s book Mercy and Hope