Hope Scriptural Story Description & Related Concepts Scripture References Church Teachings Canadian/Ontario Documents Quotations Web Resources Links to Ontario CGEs Reflection Questions Complete PDF File

Scriptural Story

The Resurrection of Jesus
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again." Then they remembered his words and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.
Luke 24: 1-12

[ Back to Top ]

Description and Related Concepts

Description:
Hope is that virtue by which we take responsibility both for ourselves and for the world. It is rooted in the fulfillment of God's promises in Christ. "Hope is that virtue by which we take responsibility for the future, both of ourselves and of the world. It is oriented, therefore, toward the Kingdom of God. Hope measures everything against the future Kingdom, and so it is a virtue with a prophetic edge."
Catholicism, Richard McBrien, p. 1008

Hope is rooted in the belief that more is possible, that justice and peace will prevail even if not in our own time. To be a hopeful community is to trust that God's plan for God's people will be fulfilled in spite of all obstacles.

"If we live on in the divinely given and assured hope for the all-embracing kingdom of love and peace, then we will always be concerned with the whole - with the victory of love, of justice, and of peace for everyone. Only the gift of hope guaranteed by God can transform our many defeats and sufferings into signs of hope. This guarantee takes us to the core of the theological virtue of hope, a virtue rooted above all in the paschal mystery of Christ."
The Virtues of an Authentic Life: A Celebration of Spiritual Maturity by Bernard Harring

Anchor Concepts: Empowerment, Transformation/Conversion

Related Concepts:

[ Back to Top ]

Scripture References

Exhortation to Choose Life
See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac, and to Jacob.
Deuteronomy 30: 15-20

No More War
In days to come the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say,
'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Isaiah 2: 1-4

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light
But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onwards and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Isaiah 9: 1-7

A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse
A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins. The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder's den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
Isaiah 11:1-9

An Invitation to Abundant Life
Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen so that you many live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. See you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.
Isaiah 55: 1-5

True Fasting
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator* shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.
Isaiah 58: 1-12

All the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.' Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
Isaiah 52: 7-10

Jeremiah's Call and Commission
Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you. I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Then I said, "Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy." But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, "I am only a boy'; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you, do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you says the Lord." Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, "Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to pluck up and pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant."
Jeremiah 1: 4-10

Future
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

My Redeemers Lives
For I know that my redeemer lives, and that at last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh, I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
Job 19: 25-27

The Lord is My Portion and Cup
Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, 'You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.'

As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,
in whom is all my delight.

Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
their drink-offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names upon my lips.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
I have a goodly heritage.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I keep the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
For you do not give me up to Sheol,
or let your faithful one see the Pit.

You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
Psalm 16

The Lord is My Shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil;
for you are with me; your rod and your staff - they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
Psalm 23

Hope in the Lord
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous.
Praise befits the upright.
Praise the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings.
Sing to him a new song; play skilfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
and all their host by the breath of his mouth.
He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle;
he put the deeps in storehouses.

Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the Lord stands for ever,
the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.

The Lord looks down from heaven;
he sees all humankind.
From where he sits enthroned he watches
all the inhabitants of the earth-
he who fashions the hearts of them all,
and observes all their deeds.
A king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
The war horse is a vain hope for victory,
and by its great might it cannot save.

Truly the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
to deliver their soul from death,
and to keep them alive in famine.

Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and shield.
Our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.
Psalm 33

You Are My Hope
In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me and save me.
Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.
For you, O Lord, are my hope,
my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
Upon you I have leaned from my birth;
it was you who took me from my mother's womb.
My praise is continually of you.

I have been like a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge.
My mouth is filled with your praise,
and with your glory all day long.
Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
do not forsake me when my strength is spent.
For my enemies speak concerning me,
and those who watch for my life consult together.
They say, 'Pursue and seize that person
whom God has forsaken,
or there is no one to deliver.'

O God, do not be far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!
Let my accusers be put to shame and consumed;
let those who seek to hurt me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.
But I will hope continually,
and will praise you yet more and more.
My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
of your deeds of salvation all day long,
though their number is past my knowledge.
I will come praising the mighty deeds of the Lord God,
I will praise your righteousness, yours alone.

O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
So even to old age and grey hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might
to all the generations to come.
Your power and your righteousness, O God,
reach the high heavens.
You who have done great things,
O God, who is like you?
You who have made me see many troubles and calamities
will revive me again;
from the depths of the earth
you will bring me up again.
You will increase my honour,
and comfort me once again.

I will also praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praises to you with the lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.
My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praises to you;
my soul also, which you have rescued.
All day long my tongue will talk of your righteous help,
for those who tried to do me harm
have been put to shame, and disgraced.
Psalm 71

Israel, Hope in the Lord
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up,
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvellous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
my soul is like the weaned child that is with me.
O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time on and for evermore.
Psalm 131

The hope of the righteous ends in gladness,
but the expectation of the wicked comes to nothing.
Proverbs 10: 28

The Rich Man
Peter began to say to him, "Look we have left everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age - houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions - and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
Mark 10: 28-31

Light in the Darkness
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
John 1: 5

The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth
When he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour." And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
Luke 4: 16-21

Jesus Blesses Little Children
Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs." And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.
Matthew 19: 13-15

Jesus and Lazarus
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.' Jesus said to her, 'Your brother will rise again.' Martha said to him, 'I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.' Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?' She said to him, 'Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.'
John 11: 17-27

Future Glory
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour 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.
Romans 8: 19 - 25

The God of Hope
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

Joy
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12

Suffering for Doing Right
Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence.
1 Peter 3:13-15

Faith, Hope and Love
And now faith, hope, and love abide. These three; and the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13: 13

The New Heaven and the New Earth
And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." Then he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. ..."
Revelations 21: 5, 6

[ Back to Top ]

Church Teachings

Documents of Vatican II

1 The joys and hopes, the grief and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in the hearts. For theirs is a community composed of men. United in Christ, they are led by the Holy Spirit in their journey to the Kingdom of their Father and they have welcomed the news of salvation which is meant for every man. That is why this community realizes that it is truly linked with mankind and its history by the deepest of bonds."
Gaudium et Spes, (The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World)

13 All men are called to belong to the new people of God. Wherefore this people, while remaining one and only one, is to be spread throughout the whole world and must exist in all ages, so that the decree of God's will may be fulfilled. In the beginning God made human nature one and decreed that all His children, scattered as they were, would finally be gathered together as one. It was for this purpose that God sent His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, that be might be teacher, king and priest of all, the head of the new and universal people of the sons of God. For this too God sent the Spirit of His Son as Lord and Life- giver. He it is who brings together the whole Church and each and every one of those who believe, and who is the well-spring of their unity in the teaching of the apostles and in fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers.

It follows that though there are many nations there is but one people of God, which takes its citizens from every race, making them citizens of a kingdom which is of a heavenly rather than of an earthly nature. All the faithful, scattered though they be throughout the world, are in communion with each other in the Holy Spirit, and so, he who dwells in Rome knows that the people of India arc his members". Since the kingdom of Christ is not of this world the Church or people of God in establishing that kingdom takes nothing away from the temporal welfare of any people. On the contrary it fosters and takes to itself, insofar as they are good, the ability, riches and customs in which the genius of each people expresses itself. Taking them to itself it purifies, strengthens, elevates and ennobles them. The Church in this is mindful that she must bring together the nations for that king to whom they were given as an inheritance, and to whose city they bring gifts and offerings. This characteristic of universality which adorns the people of God is a gift from the Lord Himself. By reason of it, the Catholic Church strives constantly and with due effect to bring all humanity and all its possessions back to its source In Christ, with Him as its head and united in His Spirit.

In virtue of this catholicity each individual part contributes through its special gifts to the good of the other parts and of the whole Church. Through the common sharing of gifts and through the common effort to attain fullness in unity, the whole and each of the parts receive increase. Not only, then, is the people of God made up of different peoples but in its inner structure also it is composed of various ranks. This diversity among its members arises either by reason of their duties, as is the case with those who exercise the sacred ministry for the good of their brethren, or by reason of their condition and state of life, as is the case with those many who enter the religious state and, tending toward holiness by a narrower path, stimulate their brethren by their example. Moreover, within the Church particular Churches hold a rightful place; these Churches retain their own traditions, without in any way opposing the primacy of the Chair of Peter, which presides over the whole assembly of charity and protects legitimate differences, while at the same time assuring that such differences do not hinder unity but rather contribute toward it. Between all the parts of the Church there remains a bond of close communion whereby they share spiritual riches, apostolic workers and temporal resources. For the members of the people of God are called to share these goods in common, and of each of the Churches the words of the Apostle hold good: "According to the gift that each has received, administer it to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God".

All men are called to be part of this catholic unity of the people of God which in promoting universal peace presages it. And there belong to or are related to it in various ways, the Catholic faithful, all who believe in Christ, and indeed the whole of mankind, for all men are called by the grace of God to salvation.
Lumen Gentium, (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church)

15 The Church recognizes that in many ways she is linked with those who, being baptized, are honored with the name of Christian, though they do not profess the faith in its entirety or do not preserve unity of communion with the successor of Peter. For there are many who honor Sacred Scripture, taking it as a norm of belief and a pattern of life, and who show a sincere zeal. They lovingly believe in God the Father Almighty and in Christ, the Son of God and Saviour. They are consecrated by baptism, in which they are united with Christ. They also recognize and accept other sacraments within their own Churches or ecclesiastical communities. Many of them rejoice in the episcopate, celebrate the Holy Eucharist and cultivate devotion toward the Virgin Mother of God. They also share with us in prayer and other spiritual benefits. Likewise we can say that in some real way they are joined with us in the Holy Spirit, for to them too He gives His gifts and graces whereby He is operative among them with His sanctifying power. Some indeed He has strengthened to the extent of the shedding of their blood. In all of Christ's disciples the Spirit arouses the desire to be peacefully united, in the manner determined by Christ, as one flock under one shepherd, and He prompts them to pursue this end. Mother Church never ceases to pray, hope and work that this may come about. She exhorts her children to purification and renewal so that the sign of Christ may shine more brightly over the face of the earth.

16 Finally, those who have not yet received the Gospel are related in various ways to the people of God. In the first place we must recall the people to whom the testament and the promises were given and from whom Christ was born according to the flesh. On account of their fathers this people remains most dear to God, for God does not repent of the gifts He makes nor of the calls He issues. But the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator. In the first place amongst these there are the Mohamedans, who, professing to hold the faith of Abraham, along with us adore the one and merciful God, who on the last day will judge mankind. Nor is God far distant from those who in shadows and images seek the unknown God, for it is He who gives to all men life and breath and all things, and as Saviour wills that all men be saved. Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience. Nor does Divine Providence deny the helps necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and with His grace strive to live a good life. Whatever good or truth is found amongst them is looked upon by the Church as a preparation for the Gospel. She knows that it is given by Him who enlightens all men so that they may finally have life. But often men, deceived by the Evil One, have become vain in their reasonings and have exchanged the truth of God for a lie, serving the creature rather than the Creator. Or some there are who, living and dying in this world without God, are exposed to final despair. Wherefore to promote the glory of God and procure the salvation of all of these, and mindful of the command of the Lord, "Preach the Gospel to every creature", the Church fosters the missions with care and attention.
Lumen Gentium, (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church)

48 The Church, to which we are all called in Christ Jesus, and in which we acquire sanctity through the grace of God, will attain its full perfection only in the glory of heaven, when there will come the time of the restoration of all things. At that time the human race as well as the entire world, which is intimately related to man and attains to its end through him, will be perfectly reestablished in Christ.
Christ, having been lifted up from the earth has drawn all to Himself. Rising from the dead He sent His life-giving Spirit upon His disciples and through Him has established His Body which is the Church as the universal sacrament of salvation. Sitting at the right hand of the Father, He is continually active in the world that He might lead men to the Church and through it join them to Himself and that He might make them partakers of His glorious life by nourishing them with His own Body and Blood. Therefore the promised restoration which we are awaiting has already begun in Christ, is carried forward in the mission of the Holy Spirit and through Him continues in the Church in which we learn the meaning of our terrestrial life through our faith, while we perform with hope in the future the work committed to us in this world by the Father, and thus work out our salvation.
Lumen Gentium, (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church)

1 Hearing the word of God with reverence and proclaiming it with faith, the sacred synod takes its direction from these words of St. John: "We announce to you the eternal life which dwelt with the Father and was made visible to us. What we have seen and heard we announce to you, so that you may have fellowship with us and our common fellowship be with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:2-3). Therefore, following in the footsteps of the Council of Trent and of the First Vatican Council, this present council wishes to set forth authentic doctrine on divine revelation and how it is handed on, so that by hearing the message of salvation the whole world may believe, by believing it may hope, and by hoping it may love.
Dei Verbum, (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation)

8 In the earthly liturgy we take part in a foretaste of that heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the holy city of Jerusalem toward which we journey as pilgrims, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God, a minister of the holies and of the true tabernacle; we sing a hymn to the Lord's glory with all the warriors of the heavenly army; venerating the memory of the saints, we hope for some part and fellowship with them; we eagerly await the Saviour, Our Lord Jesus Christ, until He, our life, shall appear and we too will appear with Him in glory.
Sacrosanctum Concilium, (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy)

Catechism of the Catholic Church

1817 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.

1818 The virtue of hope responds to the aspiration to happiness which God has placed in the heart of every man; it takes up the hopes that inspires men's activities and purifies them so as to order them to the Kingdom of heaven; it keeps man from discouragement; it sustains him during times of abandonment; it opens up his heart in expectation of eternal beatitude. Buoyed up by hope, he is preserved from selfishness and led to the happiness that flows from charity.

1819 Christian hope takes up and fulfills the hope of the chosen people which has its origin and model in the hope of Abraham, who was blessed abundantly by the promises of God fulfilled in Isaac and who was purified by the test of the sacrifice. "Hoping against hope, he believed, and thus became the father of many nations."

1820 Christian hope unfolds from the beginning of Jesus' preaching in the proclamation of the beatitudes. The beatitudes raise out hope toward heaven as the new Promised Land."

1821 We can therefore hope in the glory of heaven promised by God to those who love him and do his will. In every circumstance, each one of us should hope, with the grace of God, to persevere "to the end" and to obtain the joy of heaven, as God's eternal reward for the good works accomplished with the grace of Christ. In hope, the Church prays for "all men to be saved." She longs to be united with Christ, her Bridegroom, in the glory of heaven: "Hope, O my soul, hope. You know neither the day nor the hour. Watch carefully, for everything passes quickly, even though your impatience makes doubtful what is certain, and turns a very short time into a long one. Dream that the more you struggle, the more you prove the love that you bear your God, and the more you will rejoice one day with your Beloved, in a happiness and rapture that can never end."

Other Church Documents

46 There is also need for a better appreciation and understanding of the signs of hope present in the last part of this [20th] century, even though they often remain hidden from our eyes. In society in general, such signs of hope include: scientific, technological and especially medical progress in the service of human life, a greater awareness of our responsibility for the environment, efforts to restore peace and justice wherever they have been violated, a desire for reconciliation and solidarity among different peoples, particularly in the complex relationship between the North and the South of the world. In the Church, they include a greater attention to the voice of the Spirit through the acceptance of charisms and the promotion of the laity, a deeper commitment to the cause of Christian unity and the increased interest in dialogue with other religions and with contemporary culture.
Apostolic Letter Tertio Millennio Adveniente, Pope John Paul II

The human heart has depths from which schemes of unheard - of ferocity sometimes emerge, capable of destroying in a moment the normal daily life of a people. But faith comes to our aid at these times when words seem to fail. Christ's word is the only one that can give a response to the questions which trouble our spirit. Even if the forces of darkness appear to prevail, those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the final say. Christian hope is based on this truth; at this time our prayerful trust draws strength from it.
Statement from Pope John Paul II on the Terrorist Attack on the United States September 11, 2001

At the heart of Christian belief is the cross, in which suffering and love are united. When we turn to that figure on the cross with faith and hope, when we open ourselves to the anguish of others and share their pain when we extend to the sick and dying signs of God's love, we have entered into the suffering of Christ.
A Message from the Ontario Bishops on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, 1996

58 Let us go forward in hope! A new millennium is opening before the Church like a vast ocean upon which we shall venture, relying on the help of Christ. The Son of God, who became incarnate two thousand years ago out of love for humanity, is at work even today: we need discerning eyes to see this and, above all, a generous heart to become the instruments of his work. Did we not celebrate the Jubilee Year in order to refresh our contact with this living source of our hope? Now, the Christ whom we have contemplated and loved bids us to set out once more on our journey: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Mt 28:19). The missionary mandate accompanies us into the Third Millennium and urges us to share the enthusiasm of the very first Christians: we can count on the power of the same Spirit who was poured out at Pentecost and who impels us still today to start out anew, sustained by the hope "which does not disappoint" (Rom 5:5).

At the beginning of this new century, our steps must quicken as we travel the highways of the world. Many are the paths on which each one of us and each of our Churches must travel, but there is no distance between those who are united in the same communion, the communion which is daily nourished at the table of the Eucharistic Bread and the Word of Life. Every Sunday, the Risen Christ asks us to meet him as it were once more in the Upper Room where, on the evening of "the first day of the week" (Jn 20:19) he appeared to his disciples in order to "breathe" on them his life-giving Spirit and launch them on the great adventure of proclaiming the Gospel.

On this journey we are accompanied by the Blessed Virgin Mary to whom, a few months ago, in the presence of a great number of Bishops assembled in Rome from all parts of the world, I entrusted the Third Millennium. During this year I have often invoked her as the "Star of the New Evangelization". Now I point to Mary once again as the radiant dawn and sure guide for our steps. Once more, echoing the words of Jesus himself and giving voice to the filial affection of the whole Church, I say to her: "Woman, behold your children"(cf. Jn 19:26).
Novo Millennio Ineunte, Apostilic Letter of Pope John Paul II, 2000

These words [Beatitudes] of Jesus challenge us and offer us hope today as our community of faith responds to the terrible events of September 11 and their aftermath. As Catholic Bishops, we offer words of consolation, criteria for moral discernment, and a call to action and solidarity in these troubling and challenging times.

After September 11, we are a wounded people. We share loss and pain, anger and fear, shock and determination in the face of these attacks on our nation and all humanity. We also honor the selflessness of firefighters, police, chaplains, and other brave individuals who gave their lives in the service of others. They are true heroes and heroines.

For complete text go to http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/sept11.htm

A Pastoral Message: Living With Faith and Hope After September 11, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, November 14, 2001

[ Back to Top ]

Canadian/Ontario Documents

Thus, although Catholic education must prepare students to live in this culture and to embrace all that is good in it, this effort should not be reduced simply to learning how to adapt to the world. While we are called to be constructive and creative in our contribution to society, we must also be critical of those aspects of our culture which are contrary to the values of our faith tradition.

• In a world which ignores the human thirst for God, we are called to share the living waters of our faith..
• In a time when there is little reverence for the image of God in the human person, we are summoned to care for human life with an ultimate respect.
• In a culture where communication is increasingly commercialized, we are invited to prayer and to worship.
• In a world marked by poverty, oppression and war, we are commanded to work for justice and peace.
• In a society marked by personality cults, we are called to bear witness to Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, and to reverence him in the poor, the lowly, and the marginalized.
• In a time which often seems to be without goals or ennobling aspirations, we are challenged to declare ours and to dedicate our lives to their achievement.
• In an age which seems more fearful of the future, we are directed to give an account of the hope that is within us. (I Peter 3, 15)
  

Our students cannot do this alone. We cannot do this alone. We all need to be members of a community which encourages each person in the difficult task of living according to faith values which are often at odds with the prevailing values of our society. Within a society which is increasingly secular, there is more need than ever before for an educational community which stakes its existence on the infinite promise which Jesus Christ has offered through his death and resurrection. He came that we may have life and have it more abundantly.
This Moment of Promise, OCCB, 1989

Some of the marks of this life, we believe, are the following: a personal relationship with the Father through his Son, Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us; a conscious obedience to God's will as it manifests itself in daily life; a mature grasp of the teaching of the Church; active participation in the life of the Christian community; an awareness of biblical revelation; respect for Church tradition and authority; an option for the poor in our midst; continual hope and optimism for seeing Christ as the way, the truth and the life (cf. John 14:6); a moderate use of the material blessings of life and sensitivity to the genuine needs of others; a critical stance in regard to the modem media; reverence for the environment around us; the desire to be a man or woman for others; a deep conviction that the importance of this life is that it leads to and prepares us for the life to come.
Fulfilling the Promise, OCCB, 1993

The poor are our neighbours in every parish in Canada. If a civilization is to be based on love for one's neighbour, the role of Christians is not simply to exhort, but to join in the struggle for social change, as well as to reflect and pray on current social issues and on our own social responsibilities. So that we might truly become a Church that serves the poor, all Christians must know how to recognize the poor today, further liberating work of God, work for justice and take up the path of solidarity.
The Struggle Against Poverty: A Sign of Hope in our World, Pastoral Letter by the Episcopal Commission for Social Affairs on the Elimination of Poverty - Halifax - Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1996

At the heart of Christian belief is the cross, in which suffering and love are united. When we turn to that figure on the cross with faith and hope, when we open ourselves to the anguish of others and share their pain when we extend to the sick and dying signs of God's love, we have entered into the suffering of Christ.
A Message from the Ontario Bishops on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, 1996

To the survivors of child abuse who have risked publicly disclosing their suffering;
You have provided a voice for all who lost their childhood innocence to the tragedy of sexual abuse and have struggled to recover sexual and emotional balance. We thank you because your heroic action has been a prophetic catalyst for fundamental change in the way we relate to those who are mistreated.
To the survivors of those institutions where there was abuse and to the families of all abuse victims:
We proclaim our solidarity with you as we seek to follow Christ, the model of true compassion for all who are the victims of individual wrongs and alienating societal structures. We stand with all those who promote the rights of children as full persons.
From Pain to Hope, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1992

For the complete text go to http://www.cccb.ca/Files/From_Pain_To_Hope.pdf

During the first weeks of Advent (up to December 16) we reflect on Christmas our coming king and our judge; we wait in joyful hope for his return in glory (the parousia) to complete his work on earth.
ADVENT: JOY AND HOPE - We look forward with joy to the coming of Jesus, CCCB, 1987

For complete text go to http://www.cccb.ca/Commissions.htm?CD=357&ID=1278

[ Back to Top ]

Quotations

Somewhere deep inside us we seem to know that we are destined for something better than strife. Now and again we catch a glimpse of the better thing for which we are meant - here we experience fleetingly that we are made for community, for family, that we are in a network of interdependence.
Desmond Tutu

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Practice hope. As hopefulness becomes a habit, you can achieve a permanently happy spirit.
Norman Vincent Peale

We judge of man's wisdom by his hope.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.
Barbara Kingsolver

Once you choose hope, anything's possible.
Christopher Reeve

When you do nothing, you feel overwhelmed and powerless. But when you get involved, you feel the sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make things better.
Pauline R. Kezer

Never talk defeat. Use words like hope, belief, faith, victory.
Norman Vincent Peale

Hope is always available to us. When we feel defeated, we need only take a deep breath and say, "Yes," and hope will reappear.
Monroe Forester

We live by admiration, hope and love.
William Wordsworth

Consult not your fears but your hopes and dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what is still possible for you to do.
Pope John XXIII

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It's what sunflowers do.
Helen Keller

Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation.
John F. Kennedy

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.
Dale Carnegie

[ Back to Top ]

Web Resources

The Vatican
http://www.vatican.va/
The official web site of the Vatican contains an impressive collection of materials with a useful internal search engine.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
http://www.cccb.ca/Home.htm?NL=1
The official web site of the CCCB contains extensive documentation, including recent media releases and publications, with a wide variety of useful links to other Church and Catholic organizations' web sites.

Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops
http://www.occb.on.ca/
The official web site of the OCCB contains extensive resources from the Catholic Bishops of Ontario as well as useful links to other Church and Catholic organizations' web sites. The Conference's jurisdiction over Ontario Catholic schools makes this site particularly relevant.

Lessons For Hope
http://www.lessonsforhope.org/
World famous Dr. Jane Goodall's site offers lessons for Hope as a web-based, high school curriculum inspired by her book, Reason for Hope. In this book, she expresses optimism for the future and the belief that every individual can make a difference. Lessons for Hope communicates these ideas to students through a variety of classroom ready activities. The site is linked to Dr. Goodall's larger project, Roots and Shoots, http://www.rootsandshoots.org/ a program aimed at inspiring youth to become involved with community projects around the world.

National Conference of Catholic Bishops
http://www.nccbuscc.org
This is the official web site of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. As well as an extensive archive of their official documents, the site presents recent press releases and links to other Catholic sites.

The National Catholic Reporter
http://www.natcath.org
This is the official web site of one of the United States' national Catholic newspapers. It contains an extensive archive of articles.

Crossing the Threshold of Hope
http://www.catholic.net/RCC/POPE/HopeBook/toc.html
This web site contains the complete text of Pope John Paul II's best-selling book, Crossing the Threshold of Hope, which is based on an interview with an Italian journalist, Vittorio Messori. The web site itself, Catholic.net, is the new, successor site to the Catholic Information Center on the Internet (CICI).

Catholic Net
http://www.catholic.net
This site lists church documents by subject and provides a rich cache of information on the Catholic faith in general.

Hope After Abortion
http://www.hopeafterabortion.com/
This web site offers helpful information and more to those who are struggling with grief after an abortion. It is based on the ministry Project Rachel.

Cycle of Hope
http://www.cycleofhope.org/
The Cycle of Hope campaign is designed to help support early cancer detection, to reduce fear associated with treatment, to encourage a team approach including a medical oncologist, and to foster hope in patients and their families fighting the disease. The campaign is a partnership between the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Bristol-Myers Squibb. The Cycle of Hope is endorsed by Cancer Care, Inc., the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, and the Oncology Nursing Society.

Bereavement Resources
http://www.bereavementmag.com/resources/default.asp
This page contains an extensive listing of links to a variety of resources for those who are coping with grief.

Restoring Hope in the Wake of Terrorism
http://www.extension.umn.edu/administrative/disasterresponse/terrorism.html
The University of Minnesota Extension Service offers these resources to parents, teachers and other educators who work with children, adolescents, families, and communities, as they react to the terrorism at the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

Hope - Wikiquote
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Hope
An extensive listing of quotations on hope.

Hope Quotes
http://www.wisdomquotes.com/cat_hope.html
Another rich selection of quotations on the virtue of hope.

Britannica Books of Hope
http://www.britannica.com/hope/noFlash.html#
This creative web site uses both text and photographs to survey the hope that people, famous and not so famous, share with regard to the new millennium.

Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention
http://www.suicideprevention.ca/
This site offers a range of resources and links for anyone who is either feeling suicidal or is concerned about someone who may have lost hope for living.

Catholic Encyclopedia (1917 edition)
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07465b.htm
This citation on hope provides extensive links to a variety of Church documents.

Prayers of Hope
http://www.beliefnet.com/prayeroftheday/sec_prayerslst.asp?paid=53
This site, part of the larger BeliefNet web service, offers a variety of prayers on hope inspired by many religious traditions.

[ Back to Top ]

Links to Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations

[ Back to Top ]

Reflection Questions

Personal and Group Reflections:

Personal Reflections:

1. What are the signs of hope that you see in your day-to-day experience of school life

2. How have you been a sign of hope for others?

Small Group Reflection:

1. In the face of situations that may have contributed to a sense of despair, how have you seen a sense of hope instilled in others? Give concrete examples (e.g. outreach to those in need or care for the sick).

Strategies:

1. Identify areas of the curriculum where it is possible to integrate Catholic teaching on hope

[ Back to Top ]