September 14, 2024
Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako
As the Feast of the Cross approaches, carrying for Christian the symbolism of living with a spirit of hope in times of trials and difficulties, so that faithful can walk with the cross to live their faith with joy inhabited by hope. Therefore, in difficult circumstances, we are called to strengthen hope, which is a stance of faith, following the example of Abraham (the Chaldean), who “believed, hoping against hope, that he would become “the father of many nations” (Romans 4: 18).
Unfortunately, people have been changed compared to previous generations. They have somewhat lost values, principles, and social relationships that we were raised on. Everyone talks about the culture of this time, this world. Everyone is running after money, success, power, and happiness, even though people are frustrated by the sum of accumulated problems, and have lost hope, patience, and perseverance. Christians have also changed, to the extent that they have been influenced by the prevailing environment that they have become part of this “world”. They are drawn to grumbling, complaining and criticizing, instead of practicing their right honestly, and realizing that society needs their commitment in the civil, cultural, economic and political fields, to be effective in changing, not dependent and doing nothing!
In the Patriarchate, we receive frustrated Christians every day, expressing their injustice and concerns. They complain desperately that they did not benefit from the advantages of changing governments, and that as a minority their rights were marginalized and their properties were stolen, but when the Church intervenes to do them justice, they accuse it of interfering in politics!
Christians must realize that the uniqueness of their faith makes their path not paved with roses, and that Jesus had announced to his disciples about continuous persecutions. If Christians want making changes, they must give importance to their faith, following the example of the apostles and their forefathers as well as shedding the light of the Gospel on what happens to them through prayer, patience, and be guided constantly towards God.
Cross without Body is a Sign of Hope
Our faithful must meditate on the cross without “crucified body”, in our Eastern Churches (included in our Churches charisma), as a symbol of the glorified cross, since the crucified Jesus has been risen and we too will rise if we follow His path. This can be compared to the cross in Western Churches, which has the “crucified body” as a symbol of sacrifice.
Certainly, it is not the cross that saves us. Jesus is saving us. However, the cross remains the symbol of the greatest love. The cross without body invites us to place ourselves on it, or to experience it in our lives, “whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10: 38). Christians must realize this. By the triumph of the cross, hope will be achieved gradually rather than abruptly. Therefore, we must deal with the difficulties we face with hope, and read them as signs of the times, because to think that we are victims of injustice is a victory for evil. We must therefore make efforts to do good. I sincerely wish that “hope” will be included in catechism “strongly” in our Churches.
The Courage of Hope
True hope means, not being afraid of seeing reality contradictions as it is. We should look positively to our faith, for God, in this confusing time, calls us to show our love more strongly, to hear in our hearts the hymn “Glory to God in the highest, and hope for human beings” (Luke 2: 14). This is a difficult and long “labor”. The future will be better when we contribute in preparing it and never escape from responsibility; or being drawn into evil, dishonest ambitions such as money, power, fame and partitions. So, despite evil’s violence, it will never get in parallel with good, as long as good lasts while evil does not. Therefore, Saint Paul calls us to: “Rejoice in hope” (Romans 12: 12).
Hope is in the promise of God’s presence. Listen to His promise to the prophet Jeremiah: “for I am with you to deliver you” (Jeremiah 1: 8). Also, Jesus says: “I am with you always” (Matthew 28: 20).
This promised presence is “expensive”. It requires us firstly to renounce all “deceitful” comforts. These comforts are unreal, it will rule our lives and distract us from the essence.
In the past, the idea of “self-denial” has been misunderstood, or might be presented poorly. Actually, the Gospel meant to renounce false demands – ambitions i.e. as requested by His disciples James and John (Mark 10: 35-45). God specifically asks us to renounce “false demands” to meet Him. He does not want us to sacrifice what helps us develop our personality in order to live the present, but rather to meet Him in reality, because God is present in real world, not in “fantasy”.
Hope Against all Hope
Christian hope necessarily “hoping against hope” (Romans 4: 18). The French poet Charles Péguy (born early 1873 and died at the beginning of World War I on September 5, 1914), sang this virtue in his poem: On the Threshold of Virtue, it has been cited by Pope Francis as the younger sister of all virtues. It is hope against all the false hopes that tempt us and distract us from facing evil, and distance us from the real world where God awaits us.
How can He save us if we cling to these empty hopes and human consolations? Rejecting these false hopes (ambitions) is indeed an act of hope, and means waiting for salvation from God alone. “I will be with you always”. This is a privileged opportunity for us, which requires us to make an effort to overcome the current difficulties we are facing. The Apostle Paul says in hope, “I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me” (Philippians 4: 13).
God himself is the only hope. This is completely different from what we usually call the hope of achieving something we desire! We should transform hope into a time of prayer, reflection and action.
Hope in its Future Dimension
Hope is to be prepared strongly for the future. This future dimension of hope is important. God’s salvation will bring us happiness that we could not have obtained on our own. It is not just a “waiting”, but a gift that we must receive with joy. Hope is the pledge of its possession.
The living God is present. He surprises us, moves us, and achieve our salvation in an unexpected way. He is wonderful!
Hope is a very “theological virtue”, God is its “object”, Above all, this virtue provides us direct access to Him. The expression must therefore be well understood. We do not possess God as we possess a car, but we have the certainty that we have a merciful Father close to us who knows us and loves us: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house” (Revelation 3: 20).
Hope and Eternal Life
Hope is in the present and in the future. Eternal life begins now and continues forever, and not only after our death. Since in death we reach “fullness” if we live our faith loyally and joyfully.
Hope is the belief that God makes us capable of performing eternal actions. These actions have eternal fruits, as they originate from love, and they alone build the eternal “Kingdom of God” in us.
In the Mass, Jesus gave us His life (His body) symbolized by bread and wine. Come, let us receive it and live it to the end. With a participation full of hope and joy, it integrates us into Christ and moves us to reach the perfection of the liturgy (Christ).
We must never ever stop receiving this great grace with “love and joy” because, as stated in the liturgy of the Chaldean Mass of St. Thomas, Body of Christ is “for the forgiveness of sins and for eternal life“.
We pray may God help us living in non-stop hope
