Hope, the word that resonates most in our thoughts and conversations, together with the word peace. Hope lies in peace, peace is our hope. What the Pope says helps us a great deal, not only what he says, but especially what he does, with his closeness and the help and the effort to awaken the consciences of the powerful.
We know that hope is not a cheap grace, but – as Bonhoeffer would say - a dear price. We have already paid the dear price, and unfortunately we continue to pay it.
What does hope, which has the fragrance of peace, imply for us? It implies the constant remembrance of the passion and death, but then also of the Resurrection of Christ, the victor over death. All the horror of war will surely end, hopefully as soon as possible, with the victory of life, of justice, of peace.
We are too ripped apart but with our eyes turned to Mary, Queen of Peace. She has never abandoned her children, and she will also be our Helper, gathering us all under her protective mantle. Looking at Her, the hearts of so many people remain warm, because they know that hatred and despair lead nowhere.
We know that peace and hope are intertwined with justice, with reconciliation, with forgiveness, with re-created fraternity. And in these important tasks we already have and will still have much need of your help. We need you. I am already inviting you.
But in the meantime we are not yet out of it; it is a desert we are crossing (in every sense). But in the hope that in the resurrection of Jesus all those difficult and almost impossible things will be a gift of grace.
Perhaps aided by a youth ministry that prepares hearts.
