In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future will bring. Pope Francis

So many signs suggest that to nurture hope in our day and age is a fraught exercise. In face of this we have our Holy Father proclaiming this 2025 Jubilee year and that Christians worldwide might show the way and be Pilgrims of Hope. He has reflected on hope as being unperishable, unfading, that it will sustain us in the journey of our lives, even during the darkest and most difficult moments.

How might we cultivate this life enhancing hope? I can hear the words of Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World with a refrain familiar and encouraging. Yes, there is much in creation, our families and community lives that would reassure and inspire us to have a truly hopeful outlook.

Our preparation for Easter has possibly been a setting for us to let the Spirit of God rediscover signs of hope. Lent and Easter open us up for a deeper freedom in life. Perhaps we start to recognise ways that hope is present, even flourishing in the world – people, places, communities cooperating with each other for the common good and wellbeing of society.

At times it might take a super-human effort to summon the courage to hope despite all to the contrary. St Ignatius of Loyola gives a timely reminder of the ways God works individually in our lives. When advising how spiritual direction might be given, it is a first principle to realise that God deals with us in unique ways. The possible immediate action of God on us as individuals, is to be honoured in Ignatian spirituality.

In approaching Easter this Jubilee year, we may pray with intention and confidence that as we seek to increase our well of hope, we walk in company with the Resurrected Jesus.

From all at JISA, a Happy and Holy Easter 2025.

Michael Ryan SJ