So many interactions around us can take away our joy. Looking at the comments of a post or video you liked can be depressing. But so is trying to stay positive amidst the challenges of today’s events. It can become overwhelming for us at times. As Baptized Christians we are people who not only believe in the Hope Christ gives us, but are challenged to give witness of that hope so others can be hopeful.
According to the Psychiatric Association of America “30% of Americans aged 18-34 saying they were lonely every day or several times a week, and single adults are nearly twice as likely as married adults to say they have been lonely on a weekly basis over the past year.” That is 3 out of 10 people that feel lonely or forgotten. They may be your friends, classmates, co-workers or family members. Christ came to the world to be in the world, to be present to those in need, to give hope to the hopeless and bring God’s mercy and forgiveness to those in need. As Baptized Christians you and I share the calling of imitating our Lord Jesus. That is to be present, to extend Hope and love and to share words of forgiveness and peace to those that need to hear it. During the Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope, the Holy Father invites us to focus on how our actions can be ones that speak of our Hope. “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.”
3 out of 10 people feel lonely or forgotten. They may be your friends, classmates, co-workers or family members.
We believe that the the best way to share our faith is by our example, St. Anthony of Padua said: “Actions speak louder than words. Let your words teach and your actions speak.” During this Jubilee year let’s work on our actions. It is through our actions that hope is spread. Those that feel lonely or hopeless can have their faith renewed by our example. This is the purpose of this Jubilee Year, to witness to those, especially in our inner circles, that there is hope and you and i are committed to do what we need to make that hope known to them.
We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.
Some questions to ask ourselves during this year are: How am I sharing God’s love through my actions? What can i do to be more intentional in sharing my faith through my actions? Who needs to know that they are not alone? Let us commit to be hope to those that need to hear it through our actions.
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