(Vatican Radio) 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.
Listen
to Linda Bordoni's report...
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.”
And 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.”