People cannot live without hope: “Hope springs eternal in the human breast,” or so we’re told. I think it’s true, but unless our hope is real and lasting, we’re just setting ourselves up for disappointment. Our readings are from the booklet The Gospel of the Kingdom. Here’s a selection from pages 49 and 50:
“Everyone lives by hope. In our day people hope for a variety of things: a good marriage partner, a successful life, material comfort, safety and security, and so forth.
“Yet these hopes, though real and, as far as they go, legitimate, cannot satisfy the deep longings of the human soul for lastingfulfillment, peace, and joy. For every such temporal hope is subject to changing circumstances and aspirations; moreover, no created thing can satisfy the deep longing in the human soul for a secure and blessed relationship with the living God. As Augustine observed, God has made us for Himself, and our hearts will continue to be restless until they find their full rest in Him.
“Because of this Paul observes, in Ephesians 2.12, that those who are apart from Christ are ‘without hope’ in this life. Only Christ can give human beings full and abundant life and, thus, only Christ can fulfill the deep longing in our souls which people try vainly to fill with all manner of created things and experiences.“Christians, however, do have hope, real and lasting hope. Saving faith involves the ‘assurance’ that these things we hope for will not fail us, and it issues in a life that evidences that hoped-for boon in all aspects.”
For reflection or discussion
1. What would be some examples of the “temporal” hopes people cling to? Why are such hopes not enough to satisfy?
2. What would you say on the subject of hope to someone who had no hope?
The Christian’s hope—hope in the glory of God, now and forever hereafter—is real and lasting. We know it now, and we will know it forever. Share today’s podcast with a friend, then meet to discuss this important matter. You can order The Gospel of the Kingdom from The Ailbe Bookstore.
T. M. Moore
