“You are my hope, Lord, my trust, God, from my youth.” —Psalm 71:5
As an oblate of Saint Meinrad, I have developed an awareness of how the routine of daily prayer, in praying the Psalms, strengthens the relationship I have with God. My faith in God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is always expanding in many ways as a result of this daily commitment to praying the Liturgy of the Hours. Prayer demonstrates and deepens my love for God, and it leads my heart and mind to know with certainty that I can place my hope in God.
The verses of the Psalms lead us with vivid descriptions of the hope of God’s people. This hope is not a wishful optimistic feeling, but a conviction of the goodness of all that God creates, here on earth and in the heavens. It is a quiet but strong way of living and looking at all things, both good and bad, with a realization of promises that are greater than this world. I do believe I bring hope to others when I pray with them, and I believe that both individual and communal prayer can bring hope to the entire world from wherever it is prayed.
Prayer builds our hope and trust in God. However, we must choose this hope and cultivate it. Hope is not automatically instilled into our decisions and having hope sometimes means praying for fortitude to sustain us. Hope seeks to love and to find opportunities for goodness in the world. I see how positive change is driven by hope, a hope that seeks to do better, to love more, to help and heal.
When we seek love and goodness, inherently we seek God and all that He is. Hope, like love, has an infinite measure and infinite power. I place my hope each day in you, Lord. Amen.
Jenifer Schreiner, Oblate, Valparaiso, IN