As God’s children, we are called to cultivate the virtue of hope — to believe, desire, and expect good things to happen in our lives. Because we have faith, we are confident that through the Lord’s grace and mercy, we will eventually be blessed with eternal happiness in heaven. We are the People of God. We are a people filled with hope.

Last year at this time, Pope Francis said: “Advent is a continuous call to hope (11-29-20).” But just four days after the pope said these words, Linus, my beloved little dog died in my arms. Four months later, my dad was diagnosed with leukemia. Four months after that, an infection (unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic) could have killed me if not for the compassionate care of overworked doctors and nurses. And now it seems like my slow and tedious recovery will stretch well into the new year.

My problems are absolutely nothing compared to what we see in the news. Despite the miracle of safe and effective vaccines that minimize infections, symptoms, and mortality rates, more Americans have already died of COVID-19 this year than last year. Millions of people around the world are being displaced by drought, poverty, and political upheaval. And although the climate crisis is undeniable, it remains unsolved by world leaders.

Acts of violence against the poor and marginalized are rising. Disagreements are often rooted in propaganda, rather than facts or eternal truths. Public debates over important issues have given way to mean-spirited divisions at every level of government. The sick ideologies of racism, authoritarianism, and extremism in all of its ugly forms are going unchecked and unchallenged. And whether it’s criminal mobs ransacking retail stores in California or domestic terrorists rioting at the Capitol, the forces of darkness are on the march.

And yet, we hope. In the face of life’s tragedy and uncertainty, we believe in the ultimate victory of goodness, beauty, and truth. Week after week, wearing masks as a sign of our solidarity and love for each other, we gather around God’s table to celebrate the coming of Christ into our world and the ultimate triumph of his life, death, and resurrection.

Pope Francis says: “God is present in the history of our humanity. He is the ‘God with us.’ God is not distant. He is always with us…God walks beside us to support us. He does not abandon us. He accompanies us through the events of our lives to help us discover the meaning of the journey of everyday life; and to give us courage when we are stressed or suffering (11-29-20).”

God sees our grief and our worry. He hears our cries and answers our prayers. He sees our struggle to cope, make ends meet, and keep our loved ones close and safe. God offers us new horizons of hope and unexpected avenues of grace. He asks us to open our hearts and minds. He beckons us to listen through the noise.

Through it all, we hear a voice cry out in the wilderness of a troubled world: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley will be filled and every mountain will be made low. The winding roads will be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh will see the salvation of God (Luke 3:4-6).” Come, Lord Jesus! We hope in you!

Cliff Garvey
Associate Minister
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: cgarvey@ccgronline.com

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (12-5-21)
Bringing Home the Word (12-5-21)
The Kids Bulletin (12-5-21)

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A Call to Prayer
Our Lady, Undoer of Knots
Praying with Pope Francis