“Hope doesn’t disappoint us, but strengthens us in times of trials” – Pope Francis
During a recent hospital visit, I sat with a cancer patient who shared something profound. Gazing into the lush green vegetation outside, he said, “When I see the greenery outside, it brings consolation and hope to my heart.” He then recalled a previous hospital stay in a different room, where his only view was a blank wall. “That was difficult,” he admitted, “because all I saw was emptiness.”
His words reminded me of the famous short story ‘The Last Leaf’ by O. Henry, in which a dying woman regains hope upon seeing a single leaf still clinging to a vine outside her window. That leaf, seemingly fragile, became a powerful sign of resilience—a silent message that life continues.
Pope Francis, in his message on the World Day of the Sick, reminds us: “Hope does not disappoint us, but strengthens us in times of trials.” Even in the midst of suffering, God is near. Hope is not merely a wishful thinking; it is a deep assurance that sustains us through life’s difficulties.
Hope does not disappoint us, but strengthens us in times of trials
As we journey through Lent and Easter, the call to hope becomes even more profound. Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—not merely an act of self discipline, but it is a way to draw us closer to Christ who gave Himself completely on the Cross for our salvation. Oftentimes, we associate Lent with deprivation, yet its true purpose is to make space for grace. It invites us to shift our perspective, just as that patient did—choosing to focus on the tree rather than the hardships of illness.
Looking ahead to the Jubilee Year 2025, the Church invites us to embrace the theme: “Pilgrims of Hope.” The Jubilee is a time of spiritual renewal, a reminder that, like the people of Israel journeying through the wilderness, we are all pilgrims walking toward God’s promises. Hope is not just a comforting thought—it is a call to action. It challenges us to build bridges, to offer forgiveness, and to recognize Christ’s presence in both suffering and healing.
Pilgrims of Hope
Hope is present in the simplest moments of our lives. In the midst of Los Angeles traffic, when the cars finally begin to move, there is hope. When a doctor tells a patient, “You are discharged,” there is hope. In the silent moments of prayer within the Church, we find hope.
Who in our lives needs a sign of hope? Who needs our presence, our compassion, our encouragement? Whether it is the sick, the grieving, or those struggling with life’s burdens, we are all called to be bearers of hope.
Wish you all a blessed Lenten Season and Happy Easter.
Dr. Sebastian Valiyaparambil
