Dig Deep!

by Abbie Scheske on Friday of the Third Week of Advent

Two summers ago, I had the opportunity to hear Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a prominent and charismatic leader, speak on “hope.” He told about a time he spoke with an atheist man. In the conversation Dolan asked the man what he hoped for. The man hoped to provide for his family, have a good home, keep his job, etc. In response Dolan said: “And what would you hope for if all of that was gone?” No answer. “That is what we call ‘God’,” spoke Dolan. He continued: “God is our everlasting hope.” When we feel there is nothing left, and we hit the lowest moments of our life, we can hope in God. We can hope in God when we’re at our best and when we’re at our worst. No matter what, if we ask, He will fill us with the hope of everlasting love and joy. 

If that sounds appealing to you, then you owe it to yourself to dig deeper into God. This Advent is the perfect time to start! How loved are we to have someone who will have our backs day in and day out? Someone who can shatter the darkness with the light of day? Why let yourself wither when the Lord has provided the gift of hope to let you stand strong? Be at peace. And today and going forward, give back to yourself. More importantly, give back to God for the blessing of well-being ALL the time when we place our hope in Him.

Suggestion for Prayer and Questions for Reflection:

Take a few moments and reflect on this passage: “The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you by night; but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory,” (Isaiah 60:19). 

Has there been a time when you were troubled and felt God was not your light of hope? If so, have you taken a moment to offer that time up to God in prayer, and ask that He re-instill your hope in Him?

-Abbie Scheske is a junior in the School of Nursing.  She serves as a student leader for the Catholic Student Association at St. Mary Student Parish.