Five ways to grow in hope
Homily for the 27th Sunday
How long, O LORD? I cry for help but you do not listen! (see Hab 1:2-3; 2:2-4)
The first two chapters of the Prophet Habakkuk go from the pits of despair to the heights of hope. They go from Habakkuk crying out to God a lament, to God responding to Habakkuk with a promise.
Habakkuk shows us how to go from despair to hope, from discouragement to encouragement.
Think of a time when you felt despair. Did your prayer sound like the prayer of Habakuk? “How long, O LORD?” How long must I endure this affliction?
Think of a time when you were totally frustrated. You didn’t know if you could endure any longer. You thought it couldn’t get any worse, and it gets worse. You cry out, “How long, O Lord. I cry for help, but you do not listen!”
Perhaps you’re doing ok, but you look around and see the world descending into madness. Habakkuk looked upon the broken world around him and echoed what many lament today. “Why do you let me see ruin? Why must I look at misery? There is strife and clamorous discord.”
Fortunately, there are two parts to this passage. The first part is Habakkuk crying out to God. The second part is God’s response.
God’s response is a blueprint for turning a lament into hope:
“Then the LORD answered me and said: Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late.”
The Lord’s response starts with a vision. It’s as if the Lord is saying, “Don’t stay focused on your problems. Don’t stay focused on the problems of the world. Adjust your gaze to this glorious vision.” The vision is what Jesus calls the kingdom of God.
The Lord then commanded Habakkuk to write it down. Share this vision of hope with other people.
The Lord then said “If it delays, wait for it.”
The Lord then makes a promise to Habakkuk and to you and me. “The vision presses on to fulfillment. It will surely come.”
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Building on the Lord’s response to Habakkuk, I would like to share five practical steps to increase your hope, (adapted from Catholic Charities in Saint Louis*): A Word of Hope. A Path of Hope. A Sign of Hope. An Appeal to Hope. An Anchor of Hope.
1. “A WORD OF HOPE”: START YOUR DAY WITH ENCOURAGEMENT
The Lord commanded Habakkuk to ‘write it down’. Begin each day with words of hope. This could be a Scripture verse, an inspiring quote, or a line from a favorite prayer (venga a nosotros tu reino). Post hopeful words on your bathroom mirror, fridge, or work desk. Let these words be a small beacon of light throughout your day. (See hopeful scripture verses below.)
2. “A PATH OF HOPE”: TAKE A STEP TOWARD SOMETHING GREATER
Hope is a virtue, and like all virtues, it needs to be practiced to grow. Each evening, write down one thing you will do the next day to bring light into your life or the life of someone else. It could be as simple as calling a friend, volunteering, or starting a small creative project.
3. “SIGNS OF HOPE”: NOTICE THE GOOD AROUND YOU
Hope often emerges when we intentionally look for signs of it. Too often, we fixate on what’s wrong. Like Habakkuk, we see ruin and misery, strife and discord. We miss the small blessings that surround us. Keep a gratitude journal. At the end of each day, jot down three things that gave you hope.
4. “APPEALS TO HOPE”: SEEK AND SHARE ENCOURAGEMENT
Habakkuk said to the Lord, “I cry out, and you do not listen.” When we cannot hear the Lord, reach out to a trusted friend or spiritual advisor. Likewise, we can offer hope to others through a kind gesture, a listening ear, or simply showing up.
5. “ANCHORED IN HOPE”: STAY GROUNDED IN SOMETHING ETERNAL
Ultimately, living a life of hope requires an anchor — something solid and unshakable that steadies us when life’s waves grow rough. Create a “hope anchor” for yourself — a habit or ritual that adjusts your gaze from the problems to God’s vision. This could be lighting a candle or saying a short prayer each evening… something to remind you of God’s love.
These are the five ways to become more hopeful.
A word of hope. A path of hope. Signs of hope. Appeals to hope. Anchored in hope. Each can strengthen our spirits and help us become sources of hope for those around us.
And remember the words of the Lord: The vision… presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come.
* Adapted from Catholic Charities, Diocese of Saint Louis, Cerith Gardiner, https://ccstl.org/resources/5-ways-to-incorporate-hope-into-your-daily-life
Hopeful Scripture Verses
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9
Hope does not disappoint us because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. (Romand 5:5)
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:11)
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 42:31)
The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:7-8)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)
You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. (Psalm 119:114)
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. (Psalm 31:24)
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. (Micah 7:7)
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. (Romans 8:25)
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (Psalm 25:5)
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. (Psalm 33:22)
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. (Psalm 130:5)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3)
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15)
“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a future full of hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
We also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us. (Romans 5:5)
With the eyes of your heart enlightened, may you know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance, and the immeasurable greatness of his power. (Ephesians 1:18)
