Without Faith, there is no Hope - As Christians, we have every reason to be filled with joyful hope because of our faith in the Risen Lord. Hope is for believers and Easter provides every reason for hope in our broken world today. As we allow this mystery to dwell in our hearts, we ponder the reality of the resurrection and we grow in the knowledge that without faith, there is no hope.

Here in the north, we notice that the days are lengthening. The available light in this part of the world is intense as it brightens and warms our land. Easter illuminates the hearts and minds of God’s faithful. We are a people of spring – people of new life – people of hope. The Good News that the Lord has risen indeed (Luke 24.34) is a message that makes things happen and is life-changing. The Christian who has hope lives differently because hope is much more than optimism. It gives meaning to our lives today.

Hope is an absolute confidence and trust in God, an assurance of new life mixed with enthusiasm and joy. This confidence is intensified by the certainty that Christ is Alive! As believers, we live in steadfast hope of eternal life because of the resurrection of Jesus, our brother in humanity. In these times of uncertainty and conflict, we are closely linked by hope with the early church community, which was also filled with trials and tribulations. But we proclaim with Paul the Apostle: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction. . ." (2 Corinthians 1.3).

Our faith gives us hope in the midst of a world that is in need of transformation. Hope’s statement of promise so often stands in contradiction to present reality; but hope leads present reality to the promised transformation. Christians hope for what lies beyond their capacities because God helps them to live lives with a different perspective every moment of every day. We should be daring and extravagant in our expectations because all rests not on our own virtues or powers, but on the God-given gift of faith. Christian hope is grounded in God’s victory over death in the resurrection of Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, moving us toward the glory of building the kingdom.

In our weakness, our doubts and fears, the Spirit assures us that our hope is not in vain. We are convinced that, through deep resilient hope, everything does not have to go on as before, life can be different, the world can be what God calls it to be and our commitment to works of justice and charity, social and political change speak of who we are, a Risen People. May we, as pilgrims called to travel this road of life together, share the hope given to us this Easter 2008.

Bishop’s Office                                   +Jean-Louis Plouffe

March 17, 2008                                   Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie

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