Hope

What are we hoping and longing for today?

We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. - Romans 8:22-27

In today's reading, Paul tells us that we have been longing for something, and we have been laboring for it in pain, until now.

Now is the time when we give birth to a new life, guided by the Spirit, the Advocate Jesus left with us.

It is the Spirit that guides us through our hope with patience, praying on our behalf, when we don't know the words to use.  And we often don't know how to talk with God.

I believe the key to faith is hope.  Hope comforts us when we don't know what we should do, or how we should proceed.  The longing for God's help is where hope springs forth.  We wait with patience because we believe God will guide us.

Without hope, what do we have?

We have no patience, no block against the fear and loneliness that comes when we believe no one is out there to help us.

Jesus came to comfort us, letting us know we are never alone, and even without his visible presence, we have an advocate, someone to be with us when we are alone.

During the pandemic, we grieved over all who died alone, apart from their families.  But they were not alone, for even apart from the Spirit, there were others who stepped in to be there for them.

Thank you to them, and thank God for them.

It is what we are all called to do, to be there for one another.  With a little hope, we can do it.

More to come...