Pope Francis: hope is more than optimism, it is a constant expectation
October 29, 2013: Pope Francis on Tuesday explained the true meaning of hope saying
it’s much more than simple optimism for Christians, it is constant expectation, it’s
a gift from the Holy Spirit, it’s a miracle of renewal that never lets us down.
Speaking
at morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta, the Pope reflected on the words of St. Paul in
which he says: 'Never disappoint yourself'- Hope never lets you down. Why? Said the
Pope: “Because it's a gift from the Holy Spirit”. And he continued: Paul tells us
that hope has a name. Hope is Christ. Elaborating on the meaning of hope the Pope
said that it creates a tension directed towards the revelation of Jesus Christ, towards
true joy that is eternal life.
And referring to the virtues of faith, hope
and charity, the Pope said that often the virtue of hope is seen as the most humble
of the three, because – he said – it is hidden in life. You can see faith – he added
– you can feel it, you know what it is. And charity too – we know what that is. But
what is hope? What is this attitude of hope? First of all - he said - we can say it
is a risk, a risky virtue – as Saint Paul says: it is a virtue of ardent expectation
for the Revelation. "It is not an illusion".
And he continued: “Jesus, the
hope, renews everything. So hope is a constant miracle. "The miracle of what He’s
doing in the Church. The miracle of making everything new: of what He does in my life,
in your life, in our life. He builds and He rebuilds. And that is precisely the reason
of our hope". "Christ is the one who renews every wonderful thing of the Creation;
He's the reason of our hope. And this hope does not delude because He is faithful.
He can't renounce Himself. This is the virtue of hope.”
Pope Francis concluded
reminding all Christians about the Virgin Mary's attitude after her son's death, up
until His resurrection on Sunday. Hope – he said – is what Mary, Mother of God, sheltered
in her heart during the darkest time of her life: from Friday afternoon until Sunday
morning. That is hope: she had it. And that hope has renewed everything. May God grant
us that grace.”