Hope Is Here! Hope Is Now
On Becoming More Hopeful
by Fr. Tat Hoang, C.Ss.R.
Hope is a vital force that sustains the Christian life, offering light amid darkness and strength in times of difficulty. Rooted in trust in God’s promises, Christian hope is not mere optimism or wishful thinking; it is a confident assurance that, no matter the trials we face, God’s love and mercy will prevail. In our daily lives, hope empowers us to persevere through challenges, to seek meaning in moments of uncertainty, and to extend compassion to those in need.
As we begin the 2025 Jubilee of Hope, declared by Pope Francis, we are reminded of the profound call to rekindle this hope within our hearts and communities. This special Jubilee invites us to reflect deeply on the hope that Christ brings and to be instruments of hope for a world marked by uncertainty and suffering.
In my coming series of reflections entitled Hope Is Here! Hope Is Now! I invite each of us to contemplate the vital role of hope in our spiritual lives. Drawing from Scripture, the Redemptorist tradition, and daily experiences, I explore how hope can uplift us in difficult moments and inspire us to trust in God’s unceasing love. Through these reflections, we are encouraged to live with hearts anchored in the hope that Christ offers. A brief introduction to my reflections are offered below as part of this edition of Hope magazine. The Redemptorists will feature more of these reflections on hope in upcoming emails during the Lenten Season.
I offer a simple yet powerful paradigm for cultivating hope which I call the “Care-Share-Dare” model. This three-step process invites us 1) to be grateful for everything we have and see while remembering God’s past faithfulness; 2) to be mindful of our actions, words, and thoughts; 3) to think “good” about others in small, tangible ways—through kindness, perseverance, and by sharing hope with others. The world as well as each of us in our personal lives continue to face significant challenges that can leave us feeling overwhelmed or disheartened.
With the 2025 Jubilee of Hope beginning, I believe it is an opportune moment to renew and strengthen our sense of hope, not only as individuals but also as a community of faith. I offer this simple framework to help us stay grounded in hope, even when life feels uncertain, by reminding us that hope is both a gift and a practice.
Care-Share-Dare Model
Care
- Be grateful for everything you have and see.
- Be mindful of your body, words, and actions.
- Think good about others.
Share
- (Learn) to hear other people’s experiences.
- (Learn) to share your LIFE (love, imagination, faults, experiences).
- (Learn) to forgive yourself and others (loved ones and enemies).
Dare
- Dare to pray. (Be patient with yourself, care for others, believe in God).
- Dare to learn at least one new thing a day. (Have a sense of humor about it).
- Dare to serve others. (selflessness is hopefulness).
- Dare to lose your life in order to save it. Dare to be baptized in the death of Jesus Christ in order to rise with Him. Jesus is the hope of all hopes. We have to accept death and trust in the resurrection of Christ.
Hope is an action, not a destination! Every breath you take is hope.
