I think often of the guiding message of the Christophers: “It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.” I think this message serves us well as we begin this Jubilee Year of Hope.
In proclaiming this year, Pope Francis has called us to be “pilgrims of hope.” As an avid news follower, I sometimes wonder how we can have hope when what we see, hear and read is so much bad news. The reality of wars, hunger, poverty, crime, homelessness, corruption, greed, discrimination, violence and cruelty seems so overwhelming.
That is when I must remember those single candles in the darkness. If we contemplate the people that we know, how many of them…
- Dedicate themselves to instilling positive values in their children and grandchildren through word and example
- Volunteer at a food program for those who are hungry
- Support a homeless shelter
- Lend a helping hand to their more vulnerable neighbors
- Initiate a collection and/or contribute to different charities
- Accompany people when they lose a loved one
- Send letters to their congressperson to support bills that help people in need
- March in support of their LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters
- Support a shelter for abused women or trafficked people
- Volunteer in artistic programs and sports teams for disadvantaged children and youth
- Visit a sick person and pray with them
- Receive immigrants and support them as they orient to a new way of life
- Serve on boards for educational institutions and charitable organizations.
- Offer rides to church for their elderly family members or neighbors
- Lend a hand at clean up and rebuilding after a devastating weather event
- Work to end gun violence
- Write articles and editorials to help people understand the needs in their neighborhood, town or city
- Collect clothes and household articles to give to a family whose house has burned down
- Visit prisoners
- Be a sponsor for a recuperating addict
- Recycle and promote neighborhood gardens
- Manage businesses according to ethical practices and fair hiring
- Work to maintain parks and green spaces in their neighborhoods
- Accompany and care for a brother or sister with disabilities
- Volunteer to teach or tutor
- Walk with people who are suffering from mental illness
- Visit patients in hospitals or nursing homes
What other examples would you add to this list?
I think if we discover these examples in our society and our world we can say with Desmond Tutu: “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.”