Spe Salvi Two

It is the expectation of things to come from the perspective of a present that is already given. It is a looking-forward in Christ's presence, with Christ who is present, to the perfecting of his Body, to his definitive coming. The word hypostole, on the other hand, means shrinking back through lack of courage to speak openly and frankly a truth that may be dangerous. Hiding through a spirit of fear leads to “destruction” (Heb 10:39). “God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control”—that, by contrast, is the beautiful way in which the Second Letter to Timothy (1:7) describes the fundamental attitude of the Christian.





I have discovered coming back to the States that the main impetus for most actions, or the lack of action in people, is fear. The United States has become a fear culture, where people create comfort zones and rarely reach out of these.

The person on the "outside" is rarely let in. 

Those who choose to live in the fear of speaking the truth destroy their own souls. Notice that in the paragraph above that the Pope Emeritus refer to the spirit of power, love and self-control, all rational gifts which inform the will. It is the sensual, the passions which move a person to fear, not love or self-control.

Catholics who shrink back create souls which lack the generosity needed to love God and others. Courage increases love, and fear destroys love.

But, it is the love of God which casts out fear. The more one loves, the less fearful one is, not because one becomes foolhardy but because one knows Who is in charge, Who leads, Who wills.

The reference to Hebrews 10 may here be seen in context. Confidence cannot be based on one's talents or gifts, spritual or material, but on God. One becomes patience through suffering. Faith is justified in patience and courage. It takes great perseverance to endure persecution-and one can learn beforehand how to handle such trials through the daily difficulties presented to us.

35 Do not therefore lose your confidence, which hath a great reward.

36 For patience is necessary for you; that, doing the will of God, you may receive the promise.

37 For yet a little and a very little while, and he that is to come, will come, and will not delay.

38 But my just man liveth by faith; but if he withdraw himself, he shall not please my soul.

39 But we are not the children of withdrawing unto perdition, but of faith to the saving of the soul.

Life is boot-camp, or should be...to be continued....