You are my strength
Today’s readings, telling the stories of the promise and birth of Samson and John the Baptist, brought several themes to mind. First (and I apologize if this seems irrelevant), I thought maybe I should cancel that appointment at the hairdresser’s lest I lose my strength.
Next, I thought of all of the women, the couples, who have suffered with infertility, many of whom have come to Catholic Charities over the years wanting our help to build a family through the adoption process. What a roller coaster most have experienced, trying and failing again and again until their faith and hope led them to our door.
Some of you may remember when the Catholic Charities USA tagline was “Providing Help, Creating Hope”. An internet search on that phrase today brings up the websites of several diocesan Catholic Charities agencies that continue to use it as a viable shortcut for our mission statement. It is what we do every day, isn’t it? Not just for those prospective adoptive parents, but for all who come to us seeking to fulfill their basic needs and/or secure their mental and physical health.
We have spent much of this jubilee year as “Pilgrims of Hope”, praying for and celebrating the power of this theological virtue; letting it wash over us and change our perspective. We join the psalmist today when we cry out: “For you are my hope, O Lord; my trust, O God, from my youth. On you I depend from birth; from my mother’s womb you are my strength.”
What are you hoping for as we move through this Advent season toward the beginning of a new year? How is your hope tied up with your faith? What are you doing to bring hope to others?
After a 30-year career in the Catholic Charities network, Jean Beil now serves as the Regional Coordinator for Caritas North America. Jean lives in Alexandria with her husband Jodie and serves her parish as a member of the choir and the funeral planning ministry.