Day 9: 24th May – Cultivating Hope

From Laudato Si:

Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home… #13

‘Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good, and making a new start, despite their mental and social conditioning…’

For all our limitations gestures of generosity, solidarity and care cannot but help well up inside us, since we were made for love. # 58

 ‘Francis [of Assisi] asked that part of the friary garden always be left untouched, so that wild flowers and herbs could grow there, and those who saw them could raise their minds to God, the Creator of such beauty. Rather than a problem to be solved, the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise. # 12

May our struggles and our concerns for our planet never take away the joy of our hope # 244

Reflection: 
These past months have shown that humanity all over the world is capable of greatness in the face of unimaginable suffering and loss. The sheer giving and generosity of so many across the globe is surely a cause of great hope.

Great hope can also be gleaned from the many, many groups and individuals who have walked the long road of responding to ecological and social ills over the past decades. This often un-recognised activism has made possible the more mainstream responses that are happening today. The tribute made in Laudato Si to such efforts is heartening.

And so in the end all our efforts should be of a kind that would not take away ‘the joy of our hope’ but say ‘the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated’ rather than a problem we try to solve.

Prayer:
Let us be ever mindful of the hope and joy that mark our Christian way of life. As we respond to the call to bring about the kingdom of God – to do our utmost to create a just and safe home for all of life – let us do so with a spirit of hope and joy, aware that, in the words of Donegal poet Moya Cannon, ‘hope is never dead, until this bewildered earth stops throwing up roses.’

All of the previous Laudato Si’ daily reflections can be found in our Resources Section under Social Issues.

Margaret Twomey rsm