... for a new age

It is probably true that all generations have experienced periods of hopelessness -
but there does seem to be a lack of hope and optimism in the world .

There is a heaviness - and, at this time of the year, the feeling that Christmas is being hi-jacked by commercial interests...

It could, in fact, be said that, as Christians, we live in a permanent state of disappointment!

Every week, Catholics go to Mass and hear the words:

"Deliver us Lord from every evil
  and grant us peace in our day.
  In Your mercy, keep us free from sin
and protect us from all anxiety
  as we wait in joyful hope
  for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ"

And then all respond in affirmation and confidence:

"For the kingdom, the power and the glory are Yours,
now and for ever.
Amen."

And yet, looking at the world, this seems no closer to happening.

Are people foolish - or deluded - or blind - or is something else at work?

Do these words mean something that we can’t altogether explain -
but know deep down to be true -
that, in the face of so much evidence to the contrary, these things will come about?

Do these words proclaim our hope that Jesus will come again and that the world will be set to rights?

Are these words that express our hope and our mission -
to live in the world as people who genuinely do wait in joyful hope?

Yes, there are knocks and disappointments -
but, somewhere deep inside, we know that things will work out -
that there is a point in living -
and hope for the future...

Drinking from the Wellspring

In the Vatican II document on the Church in the Modern World, the writers suggest that the future of humanity lies in the hands of those who are capable of providing the generations to come with reasons for living and hope. (Gaudium et Spes 31)

Think about those words: "Deliver us Lord....as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ..."

	Are you waiting in joyful hope for what the future may bring?
	Do you see it as a time of new opportunities - or more of the same?
	How does your life show that you have great reasons for living and that you believe in the future?

Waiting in Joyful Hope for...

a new age

...peace Advent candle

...unity

..the Coming of our Saviour Advent candle

Waiting in Joyful Hope

© 2004 Wellspring