“Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 40:5a)

At times I find hope a challenge to fully embrace. It’s something we don’t fully understand but believe to be true. We make conscious choices to seek and offer hope, even when facing difficult circumstances.

Hope is at the core of what we provide those we serve. We offer hope when we help clients get benefits and provide food or a place to stay. We provide something they can look forward to that they might not have thought possible.

But we also know that there are many others we cannot assist. Hard as we try, our advocacy does not result in legislative change, the housing project is full, the food is just not enough. Where can those others find hope?

I truly believe we offer hope by providing a presence to those we serve. By staying at their side, even when we don’t have an answer. By humbly admitting that although we are at a loss, we value them enough to listen, try again, and walk with them in their suffering.

Such efforts point to a good we know is there but don’t understand when or from where it will come. Our faith in the Lord provides us with such confidence, and so we are there for others to demonstrate this belief. Not a false belief that all their needs will be met, but rather an assurance that they are not alone, and that there is good to be found for them in some way and at some time.

At Catholic Charities Maine we have a financial emergency assistance line. People call from all over seeking help with food, heating fuel, a place to stay, etc. To no surprise, the requests easily outpace our funds. Yet because we see this as a ministry of presence, we ensure we have the staffing and volunteers to listen to their needs and problem-solve, regardless of available funds.

At times those who call yell or get angry because we are the first to listen after so many outreaches to others in the community. At other times people know their request is beyond our capacity, but they appreciated our problem-solving in the past and want our input again. These interactions provide hope just from knowing that someone is there.

Hope is essential for us too, for we cannot give what we don’t have. This Lent, I pray that we take the time to settle into the Lord’s hope and recognize it more readily in unexpected times and ways, as we are dependent upon it as much as those we serve.

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Michael Smith is Chief Program Officer at Catholic Charities Maine.