Thursday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
I was surprised to find so many songs and videos on the internet that incorporated some form of an old far-ranging title: “Ya gotta have hope!” Our Responsorial psalm today uses words that are, yes, a bit more formal: “Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.” These rather formal words, nevertheless, provide a solid foundation for our very difficult and uncertain times.
The world community struggles with the question: “What is the source of hope?” There might be two answers, one that is always present and available, and one that is inconsistent from time to time. This second source of hope will always be intermittent like a lighthouse with a faltering lamp. It provides temporary light and relief, on again, off again depending upon human input and natural events. This is hope based on science and human intellectual achievements. Yes, absolutely, we appreciate and gratefully use our accumulated knowledge to improve our very existence. We do, however, have an unchanging and consistent source of hope. We have the gift of faith and believe that our all-loving God the Father has established a never-ending relationship of care for us.
The Gospel reminds us today that just as a father provides what is best for their child, how much more can we hope and trust that our Heavenly Father will always provide what we need and will always be with us. Do we believe that? Do we live our life on that belief?
Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections