Hope, the Anchor of the Soul

Tuesday 17th January 2023. Read Hebrews 6:10-20, Ps. 111:1-2,4-5,9,10, Mark 2:23-28

“The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” (Mark 2:27-28)

I guess you have heard the story of the four candles. Four candles slowly burned. The ambiance was so soft, one could almost hear them talking. The first candle said: “I am Peace. The world is so full of anger and fighting. Nobody can keep me lit.” Then the flame of peace went out completely.

The second candle said: “I am Faith. I am no longer indispensable. It doesn’t make sense that I stay lit another moment.” Just then a breeze softly blew Faith's flame. Sadly, the third candle began to speak: “I am love. People don’t understand my importance so they simply put me aside. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them.” And waiting no longer, Love’s flame went out.

Suddenly a child entered the room and saw the three unlit candles. “Why aren’t you burning? You are supposed to stay lit till the end.” Saying this, the child began to cry. Then the fourth candle answered: “Don’t be afraid. I am Hope. While I am still burning we can re-light the other candles.”

Our first reading this morning seems to corroborate this story. It speaks of Hope as the strong anchor of our soul. “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf…” (Hebrews 6:19-20).

In this same reading, we are reminded of Abraham our father in Faith. Do you recall how God promised him and failed for twenty-five years? Yes, for a whole twenty-five years, Abraham did not see the child that God said he would have. What kept him going for that long? Hope.

Hope is the ability to tell yourself that you can’t have it all today but tomorrow will be better. Whatever it is that you are going through right now is known to God and he has a reason for letting it happen.

For instance, in our Gospel passage this morning, it was rather unfortunate that Jesus and his disciples would go hungry on a Sabbath day, so hungry that they had no other choice but to pluck and eat grains directly from the field. Do you know how you can be hungry when you begin to chew paper?

Don’t get discouraged when things are not so good for you. There is always going to be light at the end of the tunnel. There will always be sunshine at daybreak. As the earth rotates about its axis and revolves around the sun, movement is always going on, things just keep changing, and nothing lasts forever, one day it will be your turn. Since the earth has not stopped moving, one day it will move in your favor, and things will turn for your good. Have Hope! 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, you know how it feels like to be hungry, free us from all that troubles us today. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saint Antony, Abbot, Bible Study: Hebrews 6:10-20, Ps. 111:1-2,4-5,9,10, Mark 2:23-28).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu