Today we ask for an increase in the virtue of hope. “Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit.” (CCC 1817) Hope sustains us when we go through trials in our life. We know that the sorrows of this life are transitory; our happiness is in Heaven. We also hope for salvation for others: our parents and children, and even those who have hurt us. Hope for heavenly joy prompts us to pray for those who persecute us, as Jesus did on the Cross.
Blessed Elizabeth Mora’s marriage was happy at first, but then her
husband became a gambler, drunk, and womanizer. Elizabeth was left alone to
raise her two daughters and had to work as a seamstress to support them. She never gave up hope for her husband’s
conversion. Although he returned to her after many years, he still spent time
with a mistress, even on the day of her death. After her death, though, he
experienced a miraculous conversion, and eventually became a priest.
“For years, Elizabeth prayed for and
loved the husband who could never deserve her. Between that and raising her
children, she also made time to work as a seamstress, care for the sick, and
serve the poor. She lived in the hope that her love would lead him to
conversion. This hope was so powerful that she once told him, ‘It may seem
unbelievable, but one day you will celebrate Mass for me!’ https://aleteia.org/2017/02/02/a-saint-for-those-suffering-from-broken-unfaithful-and-abusive-marriages/
Dear Lord, I pray for myself and (names). Through the intercession
of Blessed Elizabeth Mora, please increase our hope so that we may continue to
pray for all who have hurt us, even if they show no sign of conversion. May our
love for them turn aside all anger and bitterness so that we can forgive them
from our heart. Amen.
0 comments:
Post a Comment