January 26, 2022

Need hope? Hope is yours in Christ; never settle for optimism. Rocker/writer Nick Cave parses the difference.

“Hope and optimism can be different, almost opposing, forces. Hope rises out of known suffering and is the defiant and dissenting spark that refuses to be extinguished. Optimism, on the other hand, can be the denial of that suffering, a fear of facing the darkness, a lack of awareness, a kind of blindness to the actual.”

The psalmist reminds us that “God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.” (Psalm 9:18)

Time to pray!

“O God our King, by the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ on the first day of the week, you conquered sin, put death to flight, and gave us the hope of everlasting life: Redeem all our days by this victory; forgive our sins, banish our fears, make us bold to praise you and to do your will; and steel us to wait for the consummation of your kingdom on the last great Day; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (On Sunday – BCP p. 835)