HOPE AND THE WORD OF GOD.
The Jubilee Year 2025 is centered on 'Pilgrims of Hope.' Pope Francis said, "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 a far-sighted vision." Through the beautiful gift of hope, we strive to nurture and strengthen our Christian faith and commitment by allowing ourselves to be guided by God's word through prayer and meditation.
The theme of the WORD CONFERENCE 2025 is A PILGRIMAGE OF HOPE: WALKING IN GOD'S WORD…, I HAVE PUT MY HOPE IN YOUR WORD." (Psalm 119:81). As we journey together in search of God and the meaning of life, we are reminded how God's word gives us direction. By trusting and seeking God's direction, we hold on to His powerful words that promise salvation, love, comfort, protection, and perseverance in moments of distress, confusion, insecurities, and abandonment. Hope inspires us to move forward and always find meaning in our lives. This is important for us Christians who put our hope in God. For hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit. (CCC #1817)
In the Old Testament, Abraham shows us how to be a person of faith. From the beginning, when God called him to embark on a long journey, Abraham unwaveringly obeyed and put all his hope in God's words. God gave Abraham the gift of hope, and he believed that what God had promised would be fulfilled. St. Paul describes that Abraham believed and hoped against all expectation, thus becoming the father of many nations (Romans 4:18; Genesis 17:4-6). This is a testament that God's word is constant and completely reliable.
Jeremiah, who was called the 'weeping prophet' because of the nature of his prophecy, demonstrated the same faithfulness to God. Though his message is gloomy and pessimistic and conveys a deep sense of grief, this is rooted in faith, which brings comfort and promises that God will make everything right. Despite the people of Israel's constant resistance to listen and to repent from all their sins, Jeremiah never abandoned his calling to remind them of God's faithfulness. He said, "For I [God] know what my plans for you are, plans to save you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and to give you hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)
In the New Testament, St. Paul's letter to the Romans emphasizes that amid the suffering and darkness, fears and uncertainties in difficult times, we all find hope in God. In our faith journey, we learn the value of trusting God and allowing His Spirit to guide us. These, in return, give us the courage and strength to look forward to life with hope. Moreover, God's mercy opens our hearts and minds to receive His grace, kindness, and compassion, fueling our desire to be faithful to God and be good Christians to our neighbors.
As Christians, the Resurrection is one of the most important events in the life of Jesus and is essential to the foundation of our Christian faith. Through the Resurrection of Jesus, we find purpose and profound meaning in our lives. St. Paul pointed this out in his letter to the Corinthians when he said, "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is empty, and our belief comes to nothing." (1 Corinthians 15:14; CCC 520) Christ's Resurrection confirms God's promise of eternal life for those who believe, giving us hope and restoring us to life.