Jubilee of Hope Reflections

This year was declared by Pope Francis as a “Jubilee of Hope” with its theme, “Pilgrims of Hope.” We asked the Community, what is something that makes you hopeful right now and for the future? How can you spread hope in small ways during difficult times? In what ways has the virtue of hope helped you or made a difference in your life? Here are the responses.

From Helen Santamaria SL: “I daily listen very closely to the many concerns voiced by those who come to me in spiritual direction sessions to assure them that God is alive and well, daily active in their lives, providing an abundance of graces to help them give honor and praise to God by loving one another right where they are. It is the Lord. Listen to his voice. He is the Way. Follow Him, Pilgrim of Hope!”

From Sharon Kassing SL: “More and more often, people seem burdened with hidden concerns that show themselves in unhappy demeanors and distracted behaviors. There’s a pervasive atmosphere of heaviness. Do I notice the same thing in myself? Honestly, I sure do! So, when I’m in such a situation, it takes quite a bit of effort to dig deep and bring up an authentically positive response. I’ve started praying a lot for people who might be carrying these burdens (myself included!) and committed myself to offering a real smile and greeting to anyone who seems distracted or moody or consumed with concern. It’s different from the casual smiling greeting of before because it carries a level of intention that conveys a deep acknowledgement of this systemic sadness and a hope of better days for all of us.”

From Anna Koop SL: “In these dismal times of deep suffering for so many I feel it is so important to be very present to every form of life we encounter, offering our love and our appreciation for the many forms of life that bless us with their presence. We must be counter signs to all of the current suffering our government is creating. We must believe that things can change as often as President Trump changes his mind but in more positive directions. Prayerful presence will be so important in the change we hope to come about. How blessed we are to have one another in our hearts and our actions.”

Co-member Lillian Moskeland shares that her church embodies the “Jubilee of Hope.” Her church’s Living Beatitudes Community just finished a two-day long “experience workshop” for church members and the greater Dayton area.

Says Lillian, “The last gathering of 40 people from our larger Dayton community were inspired and changed in so many ways by our three speakers. One was a young woman (now about 35 and her sister who now service daily people in need with food and care through donations (both food and support). We heard, prayed, participated in simulations, shared in groups, ate together and committed. 

This event “gives us hope that people want to know and shows how education fosters hope for improvement and action,” says Lillian. “I thought it [hope] might be good acts and knowledge by small communities. Ours averages up to 50-plus souls on its weekly services. Yet we are regularly visited by a variety of persons online as our homilies are online and open to all.”

From Ana Maria Vargas Sandoval CoL: “La esperanza del amor, frente al miedo, la violencia y las desesperaciones a las situaciones difíciles que se vive en el mundo y para el futuro abrir caminos de paz y alegría. A través del dialogo abierto y gestionar nuestras emociones para romper el miedo, la ira, la rabia abriendo espacios de seguridad y esperanza. La esperanza es lo que no perdí, porque sentí seguridad para hacer frente a los momentos difíciles cuando había persecución política, enfrentamientos sociales en los trabajos que emprendí y seguir adelante con firmeza, optimismo, seguridad y romper las desconfianzas.”

Translation:

What is something that makes you hopeful right now and for the future? The hope of love, in the face of fear, violence and despair to the difficult situations that are experienced in the world and for the future to open paths of peace and joy.

How can you spread hope in small ways during difficult times? Through open dialogue and managing our emotions to break fear, anger, rage by opening spaces of safety and hope.

In what ways has the virtue of hope helped you or made a difference in your life? Hope is what I did not lose, because I felt security to face the difficult times when there was political persecution, social confrontations in the work I undertook and to move forward with firmness, optimism, security and breaking mistrust.

From Loretto Justice Fellows Director Annie Rosenkranz: “I keep coming back to Cole Arthur Riley, creator and compiler of Black Liturgies. I connect to this imagery, particularly in these difficult times.”

From Christina Manweller: “The empathy of the Ursuline Sisters in Cleveland represents hope to me. The sisters have helped another human being live into God’s hope for his life in spite of past violence that took a sister’s life. In the midst of innumerable instances in the world showing lack of empathy, the sisters insist on the reality that all human beings are made in the image of God; no one is beyond the reach of God’s love and mercy. How do we live into God’s hope for us? We can do it in small ways, every day — a smile for someone whose path we cross, empathy for one who is struggling, daily prayer. And by remembering that each one of us is made in the image of God.”