Hope: Founded on the Resurrection and Sustained in the Eucharist
It might be easy to glean, from a quick perusal of this blog, that I thoroughly enjoy thinking, speaking, and writing about the virtue of hope. In my humblest opinion, it makes a fascinating topic for a number of reasons: 1) lots of modern people misunderstand this theological virtue; 2) it is what the world needs most right now; and 3) it reminds us of the end that is in store for us, Heaven, while it entices us to work diligently every day, here and now, to reach that Blessedness. Imagine the glorious exaltation that I made to the Father when I realized that hope is the major theme running through the lectionary readings for the Third Sunday of Easter.
Now, it would be excellent if I had time to offer, and my readers had patience to read, an extended article on several dimensions of the virtue of hope. Since neither condition is present at the moment, I will limit my commentary solely to the knowledge we can gain from the Scripture readings that we heard just yesterday. Upon reflecting on those rich passages, a Christian comes to understand that hope is founded on nothing other than the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that the same hope is nourished only by partaking of the Eucharist that the Risen Christ offers to His followers.
Our first indication of this reality is present in the first reading, from Acts 2, which provides a part of Peter's speech on the day of Pentecost. There, we hear the "prince of the apostles" proclaiming that the Jews' greatest ancestor, King David, was the first to know of the resurrection of the body. Peter quotes the Psalmist as he exclaims to the Almighty: "my flesh, too, will dwell in hope, because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption" (see Ps. 16:9-10). The evangelist and first pope then explains the connection to his audience. David "foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of Christ," says Peter, because he knew that it was only by God's divine intervention that anyone could be spared the corruption of the netherworld ("Sheol" in Hebrew or "Hades" in Greek). As Christians, we know that there is a new and better eternal destiny available to us because Christ rose on Easter morning.
The Gospel passage also has something to tell us about hope and the Resurrection. In the story, two sojourners are greeted unwittingly by Jesus. In their conversation, they acknowledged that Jesus was "a prophet mighty in deed and word." However, they intimated a further desire that is yet unmet, perhaps unattainable in their minds at that point. They told the Mysterious Lord, "But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel" (Luke 24:21). In the very same breath, they identified that the crucifixion of this charismatic rabbi had taken place three days before. Even they recognized that one who would succumb to death and remain there could not possibly be the redeemer that they sought.
After this exchange, the Gospel passage indicates that the source of their hope is much deeper and much different than they expected. The two men listen as Jesus "interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures" (Lk. 24:27), and they invite their mysterious guest to sup with them. Now, God has the perfect opportunity to provide a memory aid, so to speak, so that humans can continue living in the Resurrection life despite intellectual, physical, and spiritual limitations. Jesus celebrated the Eucharist for these two men, and "their eyes were opened and they recognized him (Lk. 24:31). The whole experience, "history's greatest Bible study" and the eucharistic meal, cause their hearts to burn within. The ancestors of Israel and David originally thought that redemption and hope was based on military victory and political restoration. This episode identifies that redemption and hope are based on the historical narrative of a people, which leads to an encounter with a Person. The encounter of communion with that Person happens most substantially in the celebration of the Eucharist.
By participating in the liturgy of the Church, by partaking in the Eucharist, we are reminded weekly (or more often), that the Resurrected Christ is present to us. The Resurrected Christ, remember, is the only source of authentic hope. Therefore, we must also acknowledge that authentic hope is sustained in the Eucharist. Indeed, the best way to grow in hope is to enter into the Mass and receive communion. Once hope dwells within us, and the joy that accompanies it, there is no place for it to go but outward. Real hope will go find others who need it, and it will change the world.
Now, it would be excellent if I had time to offer, and my readers had patience to read, an extended article on several dimensions of the virtue of hope. Since neither condition is present at the moment, I will limit my commentary solely to the knowledge we can gain from the Scripture readings that we heard just yesterday. Upon reflecting on those rich passages, a Christian comes to understand that hope is founded on nothing other than the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that the same hope is nourished only by partaking of the Eucharist that the Risen Christ offers to His followers.
The Gospel passage also has something to tell us about hope and the Resurrection. In the story, two sojourners are greeted unwittingly by Jesus. In their conversation, they acknowledged that Jesus was "a prophet mighty in deed and word." However, they intimated a further desire that is yet unmet, perhaps unattainable in their minds at that point. They told the Mysterious Lord, "But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel" (Luke 24:21). In the very same breath, they identified that the crucifixion of this charismatic rabbi had taken place three days before. Even they recognized that one who would succumb to death and remain there could not possibly be the redeemer that they sought.
After this exchange, the Gospel passage indicates that the source of their hope is much deeper and much different than they expected. The two men listen as Jesus "interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures" (Lk. 24:27), and they invite their mysterious guest to sup with them. Now, God has the perfect opportunity to provide a memory aid, so to speak, so that humans can continue living in the Resurrection life despite intellectual, physical, and spiritual limitations. Jesus celebrated the Eucharist for these two men, and "their eyes were opened and they recognized him (Lk. 24:31). The whole experience, "history's greatest Bible study" and the eucharistic meal, cause their hearts to burn within. The ancestors of Israel and David originally thought that redemption and hope was based on military victory and political restoration. This episode identifies that redemption and hope are based on the historical narrative of a people, which leads to an encounter with a Person. The encounter of communion with that Person happens most substantially in the celebration of the Eucharist.
By participating in the liturgy of the Church, by partaking in the Eucharist, we are reminded weekly (or more often), that the Resurrected Christ is present to us. The Resurrected Christ, remember, is the only source of authentic hope. Therefore, we must also acknowledge that authentic hope is sustained in the Eucharist. Indeed, the best way to grow in hope is to enter into the Mass and receive communion. Once hope dwells within us, and the joy that accompanies it, there is no place for it to go but outward. Real hope will go find others who need it, and it will change the world.
