Faith, hope and love!

I can loudly say, though some may not agree with me (!) that we almost spent our first week of the second semester reflecting on three words: faith, hope and love. Different professors ‘broke’ these three words from the different point of views. Though my professors developed these words based on Christian theology, scripture, ethics, here I made an attempt to look at them from a ‘secular’ point of view (theology in daily life!).

Hope: turning dark in to light!

I did not have any choice than to observe the entire episode. Each time I called my father, I would listen to rather sad stories from him. He was planning to visit me in Rome, but obtaining visa for Italy seems to be impossible. He has done all that he could do. He was almost giving up hope. In spite of my anxiety, I remained rather calm and cool. Somewhere deep within me I had a hope that everything would come along the way in due time.

Last Monday I spoke with my father to know the latest development and the result was as usual. While talking to my father, I saw a priest friend of mine was on line. Though for a long time we did not have any contact, I asked him if we could skyp for a while. He readily accepted and showed great eagerness. We spoke for a while, and then I said, “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course” he said immediately. “I can do anything for you.”

I knew when he said he can do anything for me, he really meant it. Then I narrated to him the entire episode. Once I finished, he said, “Ripon this is my work. I will make sure that everything is done. You do not need to be worried. You get ready to receive your parents at the airport.”

He has done what he could do. He spoke to my father and gave the instruction of what to do. The next day when I spoke with my father, he sounded to me very happy. He began to dream to visit me. Though he is yet to get visa, but he has got a hope. My priest friend gave him that great hope.

In our modern world we often lose our hope. In certain context our life is controlled by the machine. We want everything instant. If something goes wrong, we give up.

Back to the class in my own way: Jesus brought hope to many. He gave hope to the woman, who was sick, or to the father whose daughter had a sudden death or to the sisters who lost their brother. Many found hope and new life in his words. Often I think as religious, we are often called to bring hope. There are lots of people around us, who need just a little hope. Some might need a little encouragement or a little gentle touch. Are we ready?