Today's first reading, Isaiah 11:1-10, provides a powerful vision of hope for a despondent nation: "A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom." From a seemingly dead tree stump, there springs new life, a new future. While foretelling the Messiah, the image also invites us to see signs of hope amid darkness.
Hope appears in our world daily through ordinary people doing ordinary and extraordinary things. One example: In May, a tornado devastated parts of Saint Louis, especially vulnerable neighborhoods. T.S., a truck driver who lost everything and was living in his semi-truck, chose not to retreat into despair. Instead, he and a friend fired up a grill, serving free meals to neighbors in need. Through donations, they fed more than 100 people daily.
These individuals were instruments of hope. Through their compassion, generosity, and sense of solidarity, they were like shoots sprouting from the stump, offering hope and the possibility of new life to a community slowly emerging from the ruins. They were the hearts, eyes, and hands through which Christ brought compassion into their world (Teresa of Avila).
Ron Hamel, Ph.D., (Retired) Senior Director, Ethics
CHA Ministry Identity Assessment Reviewer
Pause
Where do you see signs of hope springing forth amidst darkness? How can you be a bringer of hope?
Pray
God, who is hope, shine Your light in our darkness so that we may continue to build Your kingdom. Let us be reflections of Your brilliance, always working to make Your goodness known. In Your Holy Name we pray, Amen.