Light of Hope

In our drug-dazed, violence-saturated, crime-ridden society today there is a midnight darkness that blankets mankind like a morbid pall. But similar darksome situations existed in biblical times, such as the time of the high priest, Azaria. "In those days it was not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil. One nation was being crushed by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress." (II Chron. 15:5-6). Then the Spirit inspired Azariah to convince Asa to turn himself and his kingdom over to the Lord's care. "if you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you." With Asa's national religious revival God sent peace to the land for years. 

We today are in turmoil far worse than in biblical times. As a token way of dealing with this the first day of each year has been designated as a day of World Peace, but that fact is hardly even recognized or adverted to by most people. There is not sign of any God-fearing leader-inspired religious revival to parallel that mandated by King Asa. Yet, ironically, the very organization set up to secure that world peace, the United Nations, has yet to recognize the Prince of Peace.

Whether we consider the darkness of the world-wide turmoil, or just the turmoil within our own personal or family lives, if we harbor no hope of God shedding his blessed light of love on us in our midnights of trial and adversity, then an uncurable malady may develop, as Solomon warned, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick" (Prov. 13:12). Without the light of hope, we miss the revelation of God's love, and "where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint" (29:18). By missing God's love-whispers, we cast off all restraint. One doesn't need to look far to see such lack of restraint expoding across the face of our society today.

This excerpt is from the book Coping with Life's Darkest Moments, by John H. Hampsch,C.M.F., originally published by Queenship Publishing Company. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/visual materials can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408.