By Roger Lillie, The Catenians
It is not surprising that we are all a bit downcast currently with all the troubles at home and around the world.
With the war in Ukraine, the cost-of-living crisis, crisis in government and rebellions to name just a few, we can easily feel downbeat. It is times like these that a four-letter word immediately comes to mind-hope.
We have experienced many tragedies over the centuries and overcame them. We are resilient and our faith just strengthens us to be so.
As Catenians, it is great when we engage with members of the Catholic community and share support with each other. It is through this sharing of support and engagement of hope that we can look forward to a better future.
Our message of “Friendship in Faith” is powerful and, whether Catenians or not, we must endeavour to share friendship with all we meet. Being a fractious society will not help overcome problems and the message must be that we work together to make the world a better place.
The issue in Ukraine has been inspirational to me in the way that western societies have shown true friendship by raising funds, offering shelter and providing essentials to those suffering from the war, irrespective of their race or creed. They have shown true love and support and must have generated hope for all those who are suffering.
We know that in Corinthians the three great virtues are faith, hope and charity (or love). As Catholics our faith should naturally be strong and in times of strife we show charity readily to others.
However, we must demonstrate hope more as it is often a virtue that is missing in our everyday lives. We must be friends through our faith with all with love-and instil hope in the world for a better future.
Picture: After a harrowing two-month journey from Ukraine to the United States, Anton Bezborodov arrived in Indianapolis April 22, 2022, where his true home is, he said, with Beth and Thomas Wright, members of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis. Anton experienced hope through the hospitality shown by the Wrights. (CNS photo/John Shaughnessy, The Criterion)