Keeping Hope Alive
Coordinator of
Religious Education
~ O my people!
I will put my spirit in you that you may live,
and I will settle you upon your land;
thus you shall know that I am the Lord.
I have promised, and I will do it, says the Lord.
Ezekiel 37:14
As we celebrate the final Sunday of Lent, the resolve to keep our Lenten resolutions of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving may be waning. Forty days is a long time to persevere in doing the things we may find most challenging. But the end is in sight, and Easter promises new life, new hope and the joy of the Resurrection.
The despair of Mary and Martha in today’s gospel resonates with me. And if I’m honest, Martha’s irritation with Jesus’ absence at the death of her brother feels very close to the impatience I experience when neither God nor human-help are anywhere in sight. I sometimes find myself giving in to despondency as I see the turmoil, suffering, and violence all around us. I’m having trouble envisioning a better future for our community, our country, and our world.
However, with prayer and reflection, I am reminded of Jesus unfailing care and support for us. Like Martha and Mary, just when all seems lost, Jesus appears to bring miracles and hope to a broken world. The possibility of new life and restoration can be found in an act of kindness, a friendly smile, a surprising gesture of generosity. When I look at the faces of our school children, filled with joy and innocence, I see the possibility for healing and redemption. Hope keeps us moving forward even when our strength is giving out. Hope sustains us in the darkest times. Hope makes it possible to continue our Lenten promises because we know that the promise of the Resurrection and new life is just around the corner.
Throughout the year, we present an article in the bulletin each week on a variety of topics, written by a member of our Parish staff or ministries on a rotating basis.
