XXVIII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
CHRISTIAN HOPE
By our Pastor, Fr. Carmelo Jimenez
We have gone through the majority of the liturgical year. The great solemnities of Christmas and Easter are long gone and now Christmas nears again. It seems that the readings of this Sunday make us consider the reality and they ask us: What is your hope? In the first reading from the prophet Isaiah he concludes saying: “‘This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!’ For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain.” (Is 25:9-10).
Faith seems to be fading in the lives of many people. A few hours ago a brother, that I believe is a man of faith, was crying telling me about how his children don’t want to listen to him and don’t heed his advice to look for God. The schools and public places where God was honored, have become so secularized that God has been thrown out of there. It would seem that everything would be better without God, but we should ask ourselves: How is our world going to end? From one person to the next: Where is humanity heading? What is the hope for the human race?
Peace seems far off, because each day there is more violence at every turn. Sometimes I talk to people from different countries who share about the evil and violence in their homelands and why they had to leave. But now this world is even more violent and even here it is not safe because evil has taken hold of humanity. With all of this, it seems that peace never comes. But in the face of all of this evil, Saint Paul reminds us: “My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19). However, the condition is that we have faith and hope in God. So now the question is: What is your hope?
Love has been so devalued that it has been lowered to pleasure, to feeling good, to fleeting emotions, and many times to passion. But love is not just a feeling, but rather the decision to make an offering of oneself and to honor God, to honor life and to honor people. Since love is essential for every person, if it is lost then the meaning of life is lost, one loses God and one loses hope. Man was created to love and God is pure love. For this reason the love relationship between man and God is that he “will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from every face; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken.” (Is 25:8). This is our hope, the Christian hope that we belong to God and one day we will be able to attain eternal life.
The Gospel this Sunday concludes saying: “Many are invited, but few are chosen.” (Mt 22:14). Brothers and sisters, do not lose your hope. Hope will keep faith and love alive. If we truly hope that God will rein then nothing can separate us from him and nothing can take away our inner peace. Remember always: “He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage.” (Ps 23: 3-4) If we hope with faith that is alive, loving and serving God, then surely we will be chosen for eternal life.
May God grant us the grace of hope. Amen.