Hope often is the forgotten virtue

    We frequently preach and converse about the theological virtues of faith and charity. There is certainly less emphasis on the virtue of hope.
    The evangelist, St. Matthew, records the prophecy of Isaiah the prophet, who said, “In his name, the Gentiles will find hope” (Matt 12:21).
    The holy season of Advent invites us to anticipate and cultivate our hope again in the promise of God for our salvation. Our liturgical celebrations will bring us in touch with the joy of the Blessed Mother, longing to see the face of her baby boy, Jesus, our savior. Jesus is our hope!
    Hope in God brings us to a new beginning, as we open the mind, heart and soul to Jesus in our daily prayer and our frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist. The many cries of suffering and pain challenge all Christians to focus on Christ and let the Good Shepherd guide us through all our trials and tribulations.
    Hope unites God’s kingdom of heaven with earth, and hope brings us into the joyful presence of God. Hope teaches us that life is not a series of problems to be solved but a gift from God to live, cherish and celebrate.
    Hope gives us the courage to carry the burdens of our personal cross and start our journey of faith, in spite of our failures. Hope knows that, if great trials are avoided, great deeds for God will go unfinished.
    God knows our hurts and pains. God listens and responds to our prayers. God knows our desires, dreams and hopes.
    Our big job begins every morning when we wake up with all sorts of mental and physical pains, and worries come rushing into the mind. This is where hope enters in. Hope pushes away the enemy of worry and the darkness and the strain of the woes of life.
    We have come this far by faith, hope and charity. The universal church is rooted in Jesus, our savior. We are praying. We are singing. We are moving on because we are people of faith, hope and charity.
    Father Quentin Moody is pastor of St. Augustine Church in New Orleans.