1st Sunday of Advent “C”
November 29, 2009
HOPE Overcomes HOPELESSNESS
by Paul Rooney
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
Advent is all about preparing our hearts. It is a time of hopeful optimism.
But there are a lot of folks today who are not very hopeful at the physical and psychological level. They are really hurting, suffering either financially or medically. We are living in a time when the Unemployment rate is well over 10%, and heading much, much higher (according to many economists). Our government spending seems to be out of control. So in all of this societal chaos and personal pain, the question usually comes up, “Where is God”?
We also just came out of the end of the Cycle B readings, when we heard and read about catastrophes, cosmic disasters, and general upheavals that will be experienced all over the world, as the End approaches. And today we hear Jesus warning us again about coming cosmic disasters. When you combine those scriptural thoughts with present-day misery and anguish, one can understand why the question might be raised: “Where is God?”
Thinking about the possibility of modern-day disasters, some folks try to build Hope in different ways. For example, about two years ago the National Geographic ran an article about the “Doomsday Vault.” It is a cave 425 feet deep inside a frozen mountain on an island in Norway. The objective is to freeze and preserve all kinds of Food crop seeds. Then, if there is a catastrophe— such as a radical climate change, or a giant meteor which destroys all plant life—the world would have a back-up supply of seeds. That is one kind of Hope; but it is Not the Christian kind of Hope that I am talking about.
Everyone acknowledges that this Advent Season is all about Optimistic Hope. But we always need to undergo a reality check. Hope in the Christian sense does Not mean that all problems will disappear, if we just Hope!
The famous Trappist contemplative Thomas Merton wrote a book many years ago in which he reminded us that Christian Optimism is Not some kind of existence where all is “peaches and cream”; and it is Not a way of life where tragedy and anguish disappear. So no one is being urged to Pretend that things are going well. Exactly the opposite! Christians are being urged to recognize the fact that Optimistic Hope is many times found to be in conflict with darkness and desperation! (1)
Christian Hope comes into play when we realize that our transformation comes through embracing our crosses! Easter always follows Good Friday! We have Jesus as our Example of living in Hope, trusting in his Father at all times, no matter what was going on.
What do I Hope for? Several things.
- I Hope that your Expectations will be as great as mine, that our joint public prayers today will be heard and answered, and that our private prayers will also be answered.
- I Hope that you will recognize as I do that the Consecrated Bread we receive today IS truly the Real Presence of Jesus Christ, and that He will strengthen you to preserve your Hope, no matter what comes your way.
- I Hope that you will discover Christ present in any and all difficulties that you may face this Season. And in that regard I especially Hope that you will find the face and hands of Christ in your family and friends who love you, as I do.
- I Hope that each one of us will take responsibility for those we elect to public office, as I am trying to do, and not get stuck in voting for a particular Party instead of the Person and his or her Values.
- I hope you and I both become more aware of the structures in our society that permit suffering and loss of dignity to take place. Once we are aware, then we need to hassle our politicians (just like the gospel widow hassled the unjust judge) until they make changes that will last, changes that restore the dignity of the marginalized and renew their Hope.
- And finally, I Hope that each one of us uses this Advent Season to prepare our hearts to welcome Jesus, who is indeed coming again soon! This is what he asks us to do in today’s Gospel! We have been both warned and encouraged.
When you are doing your Christmas shopping these next few weeks, consider giving your family and friends the gift of Hope. You can find Hope in many places in the New Testament.
- Hope needs to be in your greetings and Greeting Cards, and in your hope-filled Christian behavior.
- Hope needs to be in the consolation you offer to those who are hurting – not a false optimism, but a Real Optimism that God is present in every situation.
- Hope is in the Good News that our victory lies in Christ Jesus, and we all need to spread that News! Nothing can defeat Christ, and ultimately we will share in the victory with Christ, if we put our Hope in Him.
Be grateful that every year the Church, in its wisdom, helps us focus again on this time of preparation called Advent - - because it leads to Christmas, which itself renews our Hope and reminds us that the darkness of this world Cannot overcome the light of Christ. Christian Hope always overcomes hopelessness! That is indeed Good News!
Notes:
(1) This is a Jude Siciliano thought from 2000
(Comments to Paul at deaconpaul@cox.net )
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha, NE
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