Vol. 3, No. 3, July, 1998

From the Editor
Sr. Jan Nattermann, S.N.C.

What is the reason for the hope that is in you? Is it the new job with a great salary and benefits? Is it being president of the parish council? What about being the proud owner of the newest sports car or home computer? Maybe it is in being the best dressed person at the office? Or is your hope in the Lord?

Jeremiah, the prophet, tells us: "Blessed is the (person) who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord." In 1 Peter 1:21 we read, "Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God."

What does it mean to have one's hope in God? Life can be different, Sr. Brigid tells us in her article, when we let Jesus be Lord. Jesus showed such hope and confidence in the Father that He could attain something beyond human power-resurrection from the dead.

Take a moment to think on this question: What has made difficulties or apparent impossibilities bearable in your life? Has it been the things you possess? Or has it been faith and hope in God? I think the greatest lack in our Christian living today is trying to live a "good life" on our own power, rather than on the power of the Spirit dwelling within us. Relying on our own power, immovable obstacles remain immovable. But God's power, the Spirit, enables the impossible to be overcome. That is why Mary could say in Luke 1:37: "For with God nothing is impossible." He was her reason for hope! What is ours?