Friends,

A part of our commission as faithful followers of Jesus is to hope for a better world. This hope cannot be passive or hollow. Our hope, the same hope that we have found in Jesus, must be actively coupled with solidarity and efforts to recognize the “other” in all of their fullness. A passive hope can be shallow, but our hope must be made tangible.

Just as Jesus was made man, the hope of the incarnation became embodied. Just as Jesus was raised from the dead, the hope of the resurrection was made literal. If we hope for a world where no tears are shed, the hungry are fed, and the distraught are comforted, we need to understand that our hope must translate into agency. If we hope for the kingdom of heaven here on earth, then we need to appreciate that the incremental steps we take in our everyday lives bring this hope to life.

This week, you’ll read what hope looks like in the time of so much pain. You’ll also learn that there are no simple answers within the complexity of hope. Hope, especially in the face of suffering and lamentation, is a courageous act of faith in God.