The Reason for Your Hope

5/14/2023

The Reason for Your Hope

Dear Faith Family,

It is still Easter! Celebrate accordingly.

No, I’m not speaking in a general way to express our joy in salvation, but according to our Liturgical Calendar, we are still celebrating Easter. We are still rejoicing in the gates of heaven being flung open.

In this Sunday’s second reading, the author boldly exclaims to, “Always be ready to give reason for your hope.” What is our hope? Our hope lies fact that our Lord rose from the dead and conquered death to open the gates of heaven for us. There are many reasons for our hope, and most of these reasons are rooted in the Resurrection of our Savior.

I have mentioned the idea of the virtue of Hope before. It’s not a virtue desiring the best outcome, but rather, Hope is knowing for certain that God’s will is done. It’s not trust in odds or probability, but Hope is the trust given by the Holy Spirit.

This brings us to Pentecost, which comes next week. When the Easter season ends next week, it doesn’t mean that we cease celebrating. When we celebrate Pentecost, it is a great reminder that it is through the Holy Spirit that we are able to give the vibrant reasons for our hope. Things make some sense with evidence, but the Holy Spirit gives us the hyper clarity and courage to make disciples of all nations through our reasons for hope. With Pentecost, we use our celebration as the reason for our hope, to share with the masses.

Reliance on the Holy Spirit is the reason for this upcoming season. The same Holy Spirit that descended on the Apostles, is the same one that dwells with us. The same Holy Spirit that gave clarity to the reason for Hope, also dwells with us. The same Holy Spirit that motivated the Apostles to change the world, also dwells with us. The funny thing is, that same Holy Spirit expects us to do the same. Not with self-righteousness, but with “gentleness and reverence.