The chosen reading today is about hope. For St Paul, hope is connected to God, the Most Holy Trinity. We have peace that comes from God through His beloved Son Jesus Christ. And the Holy Spirit is given to us, and he remains with us after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

While St. Paul wrote that they suffered many trials for their faith, but to see it not necessarily as a bad thing. Because he writes, we boast of our afflictions, so that it produces endurance, endurance proven character, and it brings forth hope, and hope doesn’t disappoint. In other words, every virtue is from God, especially hope. Whenever we face trials, or setbacks, don’t see it as necessarily a bad thing. It will help us to grow in faith and hope.

Psalm: Although we are sinners, and in need of God’s grace, we can always humbly approach Almighty God, for he kind and merciful.

People were bringing their children to Jesus. Although the disciples tried to prevent them from coming to Jesus, but Jesus said, let the children come to me for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Young children are the next generation. They will be able to do certain things that we can’t do, and they will be able to come up with new ideas and new technology, and advancements, that we have not yet conceived of. They are the future. We have hope because of them. And Jesus loved the children. We hope that they will be better than us, more loving and caring.

One person in the Gospel that doesn’t have hope is Judas Iscariot, the one who betrays Jesus.  

In contrast, the other disciples of Jesus had hope.

Christ is our hope, and he sets the example for us. If we face any obstacles and challenges, let's continue to hope in God.

Faith is the assurance that God is with us. Hope is the assurance that God is helping us and charity is the assurance that God loves us into existence and God loves us into eternity. Christ our hope!