I write this for all of those readers who have brothers and sisters, or cousins, or even children, who have fallen into despair.
Despair, the opposite of presumption, becomes an ugly monster which takes one away from God and into darkness. The evil one wants us all to concentrate on the negative, on our past sins, on the number and seriousness of our sins, instead of looking towards Christ.
Despair denies the Goodness and Power Who Is God.
It is difficult for those who have a habit of despair to break away from the lies of satan.
But, all Christians, in the sacraments of baptism, as given the theological virtues of faith, hope and love.
Most of us understand faith and love, but many fall away from cultivating hope.
St. Paul is clear on this subject. We hope for our salvation in Christ and we hope for what we do not see.
Romans 8:24
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)
24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen?
Hope is cultivated by prayer and meditating on the Cross, the sacrifice which Jesus made for each one of us.
Hope creates confidence that God will answer all our prayers.
Too many people are negative about prayer. Even in this time of suffering in my family, praying for my brother who is so despondent, some do not believe that God can set things right. They persist in looking at the past and at sin or lack of faith, instead of having confidence that God loves all of us and wants us to be saved.
I think the over-emphasis on thinking that it is not God's Will to save all causes some who pray to lose hope.
Hope is a living virtue and one to be used daily.
I am tired of hearing people tear down those who pray-even Catholics do this. They lack hope. They lack the confidence that God is hearing all our prayers. They deny the Power and Goodness of God.
Here is St. Paul again.
Romans 12: 9-12 (NRSVCE)
9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
Please join me in prayer for my brother and all who have set aside hope, that this virtue would be given to them in times of trial, to bring them back to confidence in Christ.
We need the courage and confidence from hope to face evil and say "Get behind me, Satan."
Mary, Our Mother, increase our faith, hope and love, but today, especially, hope.
Hope is cultivated by prayer and meditating on the Cross, the sacrifice which Jesus made for each one of us.
Hope creates confidence that God will answer all our prayers.
Too many people are negative about prayer. Even in this time of suffering in my family, praying for my brother who is so despondent, some do not believe that God can set things right. They persist in looking at the past and at sin or lack of faith, instead of having confidence that God loves all of us and wants us to be saved.
I think the over-emphasis on thinking that it is not God's Will to save all causes some who pray to lose hope.
Hope is a living virtue and one to be used daily.
I am tired of hearing people tear down those who pray-even Catholics do this. They lack hope. They lack the confidence that God is hearing all our prayers. They deny the Power and Goodness of God.
Here is St. Paul again.
Romans 12: 9-12 (NRSVCE)
9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
Please join me in prayer for my brother and all who have set aside hope, that this virtue would be given to them in times of trial, to bring them back to confidence in Christ.
We need the courage and confidence from hope to face evil and say "Get behind me, Satan."
Mary, Our Mother, increase our faith, hope and love, but today, especially, hope.