Advent hope against hope


I'm trying to get back to posting here more regularly. I haven't felt much like doing so during the last few months of coping with bereavement, health problems and a recent operation among other things.

I now actually want to write more which is a good indication I am recovering. I still lack energy so some posts may be reposts or borrowing other's material, rather than much originality - but who knows how it will go?

Today is the 3rd day of Advent. One of the recurring themes of Advent is hope. Without hope people die. When hope dies people die. I love this call by Daniel Berrigan to enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope.

You can find information about Daniel Berrigan's life and work here. Or you can read his Advent call which I quote below. The formatting is mine.

ADVENT 
It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss --
This is true: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.
It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination,hunger and poverty, death and destruction -- 
This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly. 
It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever -- 
This is true: For unto us a child is born, and unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of Peace. 
It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world -- 
This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo, I am with you, even unto the end of the world. 
It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church, before we can be peacemakers. 
This is true: I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young shall see visions, and your old shall have dreams.
It is not true that our hopes for the liberation of humanity, for justice, human dignity, and peace are not meant for this earth and for this history --
This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.
So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope.Let us see visions of love and peace and justice.Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage:Jesus Christ -- the Life of the world.
Source: Testimony: The Word Made Flesh, by Daniel Berrigan. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2004.


Comments

  1. nice to see you want to get blogging more :)
    we're doing a whole thing on hope for advent called Share the Hope - you might want to check it out! It's at www.facebook.com/sharethehopeuk
    blessings
    redx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. Taking another look now at Share the Hope.

      Delete

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