Hey there,
Here we are in the holiest week of the year … with only 4 more days to Easter.
Lent is always a time of suffering, though the suffering is typically of our own choosing.
And we know exactly how long it will last.
We can even forego the suffering on Sundays since those are technically not days of Lent.
But this Lent has been different.
The Coronavirus pandemic came and by no choice of our own, we are all suffering loss.
Loss of our freedom.
Loss of income and livelihood.
Loss of health … or a combination of these.
Even worse, more than 82,000 people worldwide have lost their life. And that number is rising daily.
Though Lent will end this weekend, COVID-19 and the suffering it has brought will not.
We’re all doing our part with social distancing, sheltering in place, and self quarantining, but the uncertainty combined with our losses put us at risk for succumbing to despair.
Times like this call for an in-depth look at our Catholic Virtue of Hope.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit. (CCC 1817)
This week’s issue of Genuflect will help you cultivate hope. We look at what the Theological Virtue of Hope is, when we received it, and why it’s important for our salvation; how hope is different than a wish; reasons to be filled with hope; ways to cultivate hope; prayers for hope when you need it; and how to be a message of hope to others.
Though this suffering is not of our choosing and we do not know when it will end, it seems appropriate that it started during Lent.
Easter is a time for hope as Jesus Christ’s resurrection is the promise of our own salvation. As we enter into the Easter season, let’s continue to put our faith and hope in the Lord to carry us through these uncertain times.
I pray for each of you. Please stay safe and have a blessed Easter.
He is risen!
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
P.S. On Friday, don’t forget to pray The Good Friday Prayer. I’ve added a downloadable phone wallpaper so you’ll have it nearby when the time comes.
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Understanding Hope
Hope is a word we throw around a lot in general. But the Theological Virtue of Hope is quite different than our everyday expressions of hope. Let’s start with this concise overview of what Theological Hope is, when we received it, why it exists, and how it’s the key to our salvation.
The Virtue of Hope | Learn Religions
Hoping vs. Wishing
Hope is a Catholic Virtue that is difficult to understand and often overlooked. Nathan Deg says we tend to use the words hope and wish interchangeably. And he’s right. His insight will help ingrain hope into your daily life.
Hope: The Forgotten Virtue of Our Time | America Magazine
10 Reasons to Hope
Father Ed Broom reminds us that at our Baptism we all received the virtue of hope into our soul. But it’s up to us to cultivate hope. Fortunately, he provides 10 reasons to remain hopeful.
Ten Reasons to be Filled With Hope | Catholic Exchange
3 Ways to Hope
Though this article is written about hope during the season of Advent, it deserves to be here now as we examine the virtue of hope. Bob Burnham says that hope is not something you have, but is something you do. Here are 3 ways to practice Theological Hope.
3 Ways to Practice Hope | Busted Halo
6 Ways to Cultivate Hope
Let’s face it, sometimes it’s hard to be hopeful. Especially when you’re sheltered at home during a pandemic. But hope is an important virtue for our salvation and there are things you can do every day to cultivate hope, even if you don’t feel like it. Here are 6 ways.
How to Cultivate Hope (Even When You’re Not Feeling Hopeful) | Blessed is She
When Your Hope is Low
When all seems lost and you don’t know if things will ever be good again, pray this short “act of hope” throughout the day. And let God fill you with hope again.
During Dark Times, Offer to God an Act of Hope | Aleteia
The Mysteries of Hope
There’s no better way to bring more hope into your life than with prayer. And the Rosary is one of the best forms of prayer. Deacon Jerry Patterson has written The Mysteries of Hope which is geared towards strengthening our hope through meditating on Jesus’ life. You’ll find the mysteries here so you can pray this special version of the Rosary during difficult times.
Praying The Mysteries of Hope | Catholic 365
Holiness And Hope
According to Pope Francis, living in holiness does not require Marian visions, or performing great feats. It means living with the hope of salvation promised by Jesus Christ. And in troubled times, here’s why it’s important to look ahead … and not back.
Pope: Holiness Means Living With Hope, Not Doing Extraordinary Things | National Catholic Register Online
Giving Hope to Others
The Lord calls each of us daily to be a messenger of Hope for others. Proof of this is the miracle experienced by Fr. Chris Alar when God drove him to a young suicidal woman to give her the message she needed to hear. Read this amazing story of God working His miracle through Father Alar. And open your heart to opportunities to give hope to others.
Messengers of Hope | Catholic Mom
#HopeDuringCOVID19
Last month the Religious Freedom Institute launched the #HopeDuringCOVID19 social media video challenge on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. It’s an opportunity to share your faith and hope during these challenging times. Check out all the details here to accept the challenge.
Spread a Message of #HopeDuringCOVID19! | CatholicLink
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Digital Inspiration
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