| "This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true." John 21:24 |
| "The Aiken Standard" December 30, 2007 “As 2008 arrives: point to the future with hope” By the Rev. Jeffrey Kirby Guest Columnist |
The beginning of a new year is always an exciting time. As we start the New Year, we carry within us our memories, stories, and
experiences of good times and bad, of successes and failures. We also carry the essential virtue of hope. In light of this hope, each of us
reviews our life and composes a certain resolution or resolutions for change and improvement. Why?
We hope and aspire to become a better person in the coming year. We see an opportunity for a fresh start and new beginnings. Simple
things like dieting and exercising, or harder things such as acts of kindness, intellectual pursuits, and spiritual commitments are some of the
many possible desires of the heart at this time of annual renewal. We become people of great hope. What are the lessons that we can learn
from these aspirations, and from this innate hope within us? Where do these human hopes lead us? What is their foundation?
Pope Benedict XVI can contribute a few thoughts on these questions. The pope recently released his second encyclical, which is a teaching
letter on issues concerning the Christian faith. The pope dedicated this new letter to the very subject of hope.
The pope explains that “all serious and upright human conduct is hope in action.” He notes that by performing good deeds the person is
striving to realize hope in himself and a more humane world around him. Pope Benedict, however, is concerned that human hope be
grounded on the solid foundation of “the radiance of a great hope that cannot be destroyed,” and that hope itself does not end in the emptiness
of despair or extremism.
In the letter, the pope teaches, “Only the great certitude of hope that my own life and history in general, despite all failures, are held firm by
the indestructible power of Love, and that this gives them their meaning and importance, only this kind of hope can then give the courage to
act and persevere.”
Pope Benedict argues that this great hope is God himself, and that each person is called to accept and find their strength in his message of
love and peace. By hoping in God, all our human hopes can find their substance and impetus in him. In listening to the Gospel message, the
pope writes that we “can open ourselves and the world, and allow God to enter: we can open ourselves to truth, to love, to what is good.”
The pope uses the image of “the star of hope” rising in the hearts of all people, and of its power to inspire and sustain people in their good and
bad moments. He gives the example of the saints who “were able to make the journey of human existence in the way that Christ had done
before them because they were brimming with great hope.”
Human hope, grounded on a great hope in God, can accomplish great things in this life. It can provoke a sense of justice and peace, and a
desire to work and suffer for these spiritual goods. Even in the face of apparent failure or defeat, hope can carry and bring forth the best in a
person and in a society.
As we make our New Year’s resolutions at the beginning of 2008, we all dwell in hope to become better people. The reflections offered by
Pope Benedict XVI can help us. They can point the way to where the great source and stability of human hope can be found, and where it
can be anchored.
The Rev. Jeffrey Kirby is currently the parochial vicar at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church.
experiences of good times and bad, of successes and failures. We also carry the essential virtue of hope. In light of this hope, each of us
reviews our life and composes a certain resolution or resolutions for change and improvement. Why?
We hope and aspire to become a better person in the coming year. We see an opportunity for a fresh start and new beginnings. Simple
things like dieting and exercising, or harder things such as acts of kindness, intellectual pursuits, and spiritual commitments are some of the
many possible desires of the heart at this time of annual renewal. We become people of great hope. What are the lessons that we can learn
from these aspirations, and from this innate hope within us? Where do these human hopes lead us? What is their foundation?
Pope Benedict XVI can contribute a few thoughts on these questions. The pope recently released his second encyclical, which is a teaching
letter on issues concerning the Christian faith. The pope dedicated this new letter to the very subject of hope.
The pope explains that “all serious and upright human conduct is hope in action.” He notes that by performing good deeds the person is
striving to realize hope in himself and a more humane world around him. Pope Benedict, however, is concerned that human hope be
grounded on the solid foundation of “the radiance of a great hope that cannot be destroyed,” and that hope itself does not end in the emptiness
of despair or extremism.
In the letter, the pope teaches, “Only the great certitude of hope that my own life and history in general, despite all failures, are held firm by
the indestructible power of Love, and that this gives them their meaning and importance, only this kind of hope can then give the courage to
act and persevere.”
Pope Benedict argues that this great hope is God himself, and that each person is called to accept and find their strength in his message of
love and peace. By hoping in God, all our human hopes can find their substance and impetus in him. In listening to the Gospel message, the
pope writes that we “can open ourselves and the world, and allow God to enter: we can open ourselves to truth, to love, to what is good.”
The pope uses the image of “the star of hope” rising in the hearts of all people, and of its power to inspire and sustain people in their good and
bad moments. He gives the example of the saints who “were able to make the journey of human existence in the way that Christ had done
before them because they were brimming with great hope.”
Human hope, grounded on a great hope in God, can accomplish great things in this life. It can provoke a sense of justice and peace, and a
desire to work and suffer for these spiritual goods. Even in the face of apparent failure or defeat, hope can carry and bring forth the best in a
person and in a society.
As we make our New Year’s resolutions at the beginning of 2008, we all dwell in hope to become better people. The reflections offered by
Pope Benedict XVI can help us. They can point the way to where the great source and stability of human hope can be found, and where it
can be anchored.
The Rev. Jeffrey Kirby is currently the parochial vicar at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church.