A Wednesday Full of Hope (09/15/2025)

Last evening, I went to the parish for the first night of Confirmation preparation with a group of eight sophomores and their parents. As I watched them with the various activities and their responses to the topics of discussion, I found my well of hope rising. By the time we ended with prayer an hour and a half after starting, with parents marking their teens with the sign of the cross on their foreheads, I felt compelled to end with the Glory Be because the LORD was doing it again – amazing me.

They aren’t perfect, but who of us is. They weren’t all thrilled about being there after a long day at school and work and even sports practice. But they were there. They came, and they listened and humored me when I asked things of them. They were open, and that says a lot in today’s world. God is good.

I promised them that I had been praying for them by name in preparation for the year. I promised to continue doing so daily. I shared a bit of my own faith journey, hoping it would resonate with them, especially the part about needing to move closer to Christ because my world and life outgrew my immature theology. I invited them to accompany me on this journey of discovery so that they might be better prepared to confirm their faith.

I wanted to share what I could about my experience because I’ve noticed that our world is in need of some hope. Our LORD is the sources of all hope but He often sends it in unexpected ways or unassuming forms. We have to be vigilant; we must be attentive. In these youth and in their parents by their side, I sensed the LORD’s power and presence at work.

Afterwards, as I pondered my day with the LORD before going to bed, I closed my eyes and recalled the faces in that room. It was good to be able to put a face with a name, a person with my prayer. I prayed for them once more that the LORD will guide me so that I bring to them His message, His love, His call faithfully and that they will receive it openly.

As we all pick up crosses again this day and seek to follow in our Savior’s footsteps, let us do so with confidence that we do not walk alone. Let us open ourselves to the LORD’s call, the Spirit’s grace, and the transformative love of our LORD. Let us have faith in His ability to guide us where we need to be. And let us have hope believing with all our might that the LORD is trustworthy. And as we encounter others along the way, let us companion them, sharing our faith, hope and love with them knowing full well that the LORD has a way of increasing all three if we open ourselves and give them away.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.