Let's make 'hope' an active virtue

By Marianite Sister Judy Gomila
Contributing writer

Just this week, I walked into a public restroom and the automatic light did not go on. I couldn’t see a thing – toilet stalls, water basins, towel racks – absolutely nothing!

I fumbled for my phone. Ummm, did I ever activate that flashlight app? Nooo! So there was more fumbling – and time was running out, if you know what I mean.

Today, I recall that scary experience and share a few of my thoughts about hope and the year opening before us.

Hope is the flashlight app in a dark room, a moment of light, just enough to reveal the way. Spiritually speaking, hope means trusting in our extravagant and loving God that good things will happen.

Usually, the theological virtue of hope is well focused.

Over the almost two years of the pandemic, my prayer often centered on generous first responders, families struck by COVID, hoping more people would be vaccinated. But, I’ve also been hopeful in cutting back on breads or sweets that I might lose a few inches.

Formed by “peoples” I’ve ministered to, I am an active participant in a number of social action outreach efforts with the firm hope that in solidarity we can make a difference.

I cite these as varied samplings of my specific, hope-filled experiences. Perhaps you recognize having hope links your past and present to the future. “Active hope” takes it a step further. You have an eye for what you hope will happen, and you take appropriate steps toward accomplishing that.

So what about this New Year? Where and how do I find motivation to pursue hope in what appears to be the new normal?

Here’s a part of a prayer poem by Jan Richardson (“Circle of Grace”) that illuminates, just as the flashlight app does, the change and transitions that may await us.

In the letting go, hold on to this:

The enduring of love

The persisting of hope

The remembering of joy

The offering of gratitude

The receiving of grace

The blessing of peace

Happy, holy, hope-filled 2022.

Marianite of Holy Cross Sister Judy Gomila is a member of the Clarion Herald’s board of directors and frequent director of retreats.