Advent: Our Season of Hope

Even though this 2025 Jubilee Year with the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope” ended in November, we who are Gospel people believe that God’s gift of hope never ends. Pope Francis in his first message in this special year told us: “‘May we who have taken refuge in him be strongly encouraged to seize the hope set before us. We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered.’ (Heb 6:18-20). Those words are a forceful encouragement for us never to lose the hope we have been given, to hold fast to that hope and to find in God our refuge and our strength.”

American Jesuit priest, author and editor-at-large for America magazine the Rev. James Martin asks, “How can we embrace hope? The environment around us, millions searching for safety, financial problems for those whose job is gone, food insecurity … and the list goes on. Despair does not come from God, but hope does.”

While we hold on to hope, let us also give hope to others this Advent.

During the first Sunday of Advent, the Scriptures you heard will lead you into watchful waiting. You will have heard words from the “Giver of Hope”: “Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. Throw off darkness and be people of light.”

We must be people who have eyes to see that it is always Advent, because the Christ of Hope is coming to birth wherever we are.