How does a Christian keep keepin' on in the midst of trials and persecutions? Hope. How can we have the courage to face death for the sake of the gospel? Hope. How can we rejoice even in adversity and consider it a privilege to suffer for Jesus' sake? Hope. "In hope we were saved" (Rm 8:24).
Contrary to the common saying, hope does not spring eternal in the human breast. The suicides, addictions, and bondages of our society testify that often despair, not hope, springs in the human breast. Lasting hope is not humanly possible. It must be given by God.
"Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, He Who in His great mercy gave us new birth; a birth unto hope which draws its life from the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Pt 1:3). "May He enlighten your innermost vision that you may know the great hope to which He has called you" (Eph 1:18). "And this hope will not leave us disappointed because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us" (Rm 5:5). "So may God, the Source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that through the power of the Holy Spirit you may have hope in abundance" (Rm 15:13).
| PRAYER: | Father, may all my afflictions lead to endurance, tested virtue, and then hope (Jas 1:2-4; Rm 5:3-5). |
| PROMISE: | "At sunset, all who had people sick with a variety of diseases took them to Him, and He laid hands on each of them and cured them." –Lk 4:40 |
| PRAISE: | Jesus delivered Pete from drug addiction. Pete now has dedicated himself to spreading the word of God. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College