Hope is probably the most human of emotions. It uplifts us from our misery to envision and work for better times. It inspires us to create new visions and make this world a better place. It is hope for better times and a better world that have enabled men to create civilization as we know it. Hope moves men to keep going on even in the face of great difficulties and adversities. Yesterday, we spent the afternoon enjoying the Renaissance Art Exhibit at the Getty Museum. I realized that it is hope and anticipation for immortality that inspired the artists to create their masterpieces.
But on closer look, hope is something that we share with the rest of creation. We are in the depths of winter now and I can sense trees and plants already yearning and hoping for spring. Birds are on the lookout for the first sign of spring, like the lengthening of day or the warming in the air, and hoping to be able to fly back home. Pet cat and dogs have been known to wait patiently by the door or the window as they wait and hope for their masters’ coming home.
Hope is man’s yearning for fullness and completion, which he shares with the rest of creation. Hope is our innermost intimation that the best is yet to come. Life is such a wonderful blessing that in our most ecstatic moments we say that this all too beautiful to just end and come to naught; there has to be more and better things to come. Or, life can sometimes be so excruciatingly painful and difficult we pray and hope there will come a better time and that there is a better place where all the things we feel are wrong are finally righted. Or, are we just like Vladimir and Estragon waiting for Godot and our lives nothing more than providing temporary companionship to fellow travelers like Pozzo and Lucky?
Hope to be real has to be rooted in Faith. And for Hope to be realized, we have to live in and with Love.
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:22-35