Hope Can Always Be Found!
The commencement speaker gazed over the university graduates saying: “Today is a momentous rite of passage for every one of you. You are parting from these recognizable halls, prepared but fearful, to enter an unknown and alluring phase of your life’s journey…”
As the speaker continued, I thought Jesus could have spoken similar words from the hillside on his Ascension Day. Surely Jesus knew his apostles well enough to understand their fears and concerns.
Peter, James, and the others realized the future of Jesus’ mission rested on their shoulders. Like these university graduates, they wrestled with similar anxieties and fears. They were leaving a safe environment for their life work. And their thoughts were mixed, and questions were in abundance.
What if they became fearful as they did when Jesus needed them the most? Or would they stand their ground and accomplish his mission? Is Jesus trusting them with more than they can do? He suffered for them. This time they did not want to fail him.
Unquestionably, Christ’s farewell address declared a rite of passage for his apostles bestowing on them a great legacy. No wonder they had concerns. They were fishermen. But Jesus gave them hope: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses from Jerusalem …to the ends of the earth.
Hearing Jesus speak the words that the Holy Spirit will be the powerhouse that helps them complete their work, the apostles were feeling comforted and excited to start. These fishermen became excited to change their known world for an unknown world.
As Jesus disappeared in the clouds, the apostles understood what their “Yes” answer to Jesus truly means. Saint Paul said it best in his letter to the Ephesians: “May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened that you may know what is the hope that belongs to this calling.”
That great hope is our hope. Though Jesus sits at his Father’s right hand, his hope-filled presence remains in our lives. It is there especially in times of sadness when death claims a loved one. It is there in our moments of joy at the birth of a first grandchild. It is even in the doctor’s office giving us that sense of relief when the doctor’s report is all good news.
Today, in these troubling times, hope still comes with our calling to follow Jesus.
The rain will stop, the night will end, and the hurt will fade. Hope is never so lost it can’t be found.
-Ernest Hemingway
