Between Suffering and Hope

Read: Romans 5; John 4

Hope isn’t something we often talk about at Lent. In this season so
synonymous with penance and sin, we talk primarily about suffering. It is
true that as Christians we are called to speak about suffering, yet the text
of Romans 5 comes to us as a reminder that, even in this sorrowful season,
suffering and hope go together. The light of hope gives suffering its only
meaning. Neither the suffering of Jesus nor our own is an end in itself.
Hope names suffering as contrary to God’s desire.

This Lent, as we examine our hearts, let us remember that God is a
God of hope. As Jesus said to the Samaritan woman beside the well, “If you
knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’
you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
Sisters and brothers, we know the gift of God and we know to whom we
speak. This season ask not only for hearts that are pure, but hopeful hearts,
hearts renewed in love.

Prayer:  God of hope, thank you for your gift of love. In this season, renew
our hope by the pouring out of living water, your Spirit, upon us. Amen.