​Conclusion – Sharing our Hope with Others

Today, I bring these reflections on hope to their conclusion.  
As you begin reading this, you may wish to use the song which I shared (in part) with the retreat group: Send Me

Last time, we recalled how Mary and the saints inspire and bring hope to us.  Today, we reflect on the fact that we, too, can bring hope to others..

Corrie Ten Boom wrote:
When I enter that beautiful city,
 and the saints all around me appear,
I hope that someone will tell me,
“It was you who invited me here.”
 
As we move forward into this jubilee year of hope, we might ask ourselves: Concretely, how can we share your hope?  One key means is through gratitude.
 
This past summer, a family member shared a story with me of an experience in her prayer group.  A woman was describing the manifold woes in her life and the world…her brother was in the hospital…she was having a lot of hip pain…Trump got shot, on and on and on…
 
My family member wasn’t prepared for this, but somehow, the Holy Spirit seemed to be directing her and she interjected, sharing how we have so much to be grateful for and how God is really working behind the scenes. 
 
The conversation changed from doom and gloom to hope and praise. 
 
In my preparation for the retreat, I read over an article on sharing your hope, which offered some good tips:

• Pray with the scriptures and truth of the faith so you are ready to answer questions when they come
• Be joyful in the midst of hardship.  This will speak loudly.  This is also tied to gratitude.
• Kindness and generosity to others, especially those who are struggling or in need, can help open their hearts to hope.
• Pray: Pray to the Holy Spirit to guide you; pray for those who you can see as in need of hope.

 
Pope Francis mentions groups of people with whom we should share signs of hope: the poor, migrants, the young, grandparents, etc. 
 
I would invite you to consider:
Is there someone in your life who you see as especially needing signs of hope? 
What will you do to share the reason for your hope with them?
 
Personally, in preparing these reflections, I was reminded that something as simple as a smile or kind word can rekindle hope in those I meet on a daily basis.  I need to remember and prioritize this. 
 
What opportunities to share hope do you have in your own daily life?