On Easter, a message of hope

Hope is one of those little words in too-short supply. We face the challenges of economics, of elusive peace in the world, or even the hard work of maintaining health and relationships and often ask ourselves, “Is there any hope?” Sometimes it is just because we face struggle, but often, I think, it’s because we are reluctant to share the signs of hope that are around us.

For Christians, Easter marks what was an unbelievable sign of hope, even among those who followed Jesus in his earthly life. The women who came back from the empty tomb were told they must be crazy. “The Lord is risen as he said.” It sounded too good to be true. And yet those who were skeptical were changed by their experience.

So this day I invite you to think about hope. Whether you are a believer or not, where have you been surprised beyond your expectations? Was it perhaps encountering a group of young teenagers doing a service project together? Or perhaps when businesses came together to reach out to returning veterans with employment opportunities? Or, more simply, was it perhaps the stranger in line at the grocery store who offered you a place in line ahead of them?

For me, a sign of hope came recently, talking with someone at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada who originally came looking for food for the day but ultimately left to apply for a job, equipped with some training and a set of nearly new clothes — all from the generosity of others whom he would never meet. “For the first time in a while, I’ve got hope,” he said with a smile.

Emily Dickinson said it this way: “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all ...” Abraham Joshua Heschel said it this way: “The beginning of our happiness lies in the understanding that life without wonder is not worth living.” And John Lennon said it this way: “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us. And the world will live as one.”

This Easter, let us celebrate the hope that visits us whenever someone extends beyond themselves to share, to reach out a hand, to inspire us to move beyond the confines of our experience to the wider horizon of wonder and awe — a horizon of hope. For we do not walk alone, we do not have to carry our burdens by ourselves, and we are loved by One who gives us care and comfort in whom we can hope.

From your Catholic neighbors, Happy Easter! May this day be a day of blessing and peace for all and an opportunity to renew hope. And “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

The Very Rev. Bob Stoeckig is vicar general of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Vegas and pastor of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Boulder City.