INNUMERABLE GRACES OF HOPE

Divine Appeal Reflection - 79

Today, consider in Divine Appeal 79: "Hope obtains innumerable graces for self and souls. I desire this to be understood so that My mercy may be revealed to the poor souls who have gone astray on the way to perdition."  The Catechism presupposes "hope" as one of the three theological virtues alongside faith and charity (CCC 1812). It declares that hope helps a person to remain spiritually strong, keep moving forward, and trust in God's promises by believing in His grace (CCC 1818). Hope serves as an anchor for souls, providing them with a path to universal salvation and unity with God. In Romans 15:13, St. Paul demonstrates that hope is a source of joy and peace granted by God Himself. Furthermore, hope is described as "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" in Hebrews 6:19, demonstrating the capacity to weather life's storms. Prominent for her enduring commitment to serving the less fortunate and marginalized, St. Teresa of Calcutta famously remarked, "I know God won't give me anything I can't handle. I just wish he hadn't trusted me so much." Her words can be seen as a saintly perspective on facing life's challenges as opportunities for growth rather than despair.

Many souls stumble in their faith because they do not trust in the actual presence of Jesus in the sacraments. This lack of belief weakens their expectations of Eucharistic grace and sacramental mercy, as they are unaware of the profound mercy and grace available to them. Jesus' Divine Appeal conveys to these souls the importance of understanding and the comforting reality of His presence, which fills their hearts with hope and salvation. Moreover, the world is filled with people who lose hope when faced with unexpected challenges, seeing them as impossible obstacles instead of opportunities for spiritual growth along the daily way of the cross. The Divine Appeal should help these souls understand that any fight in life, when faced with faith and persistence, can be the sacred path by which they are to cooperate in the mission of Christ's redemption. Their anguish is not put to waste as they incorporate their sufferings in the daily way of the Cross, in which they not only find peace and hope but also contribute to the salvation of souls.

Psalm 147:11 declares, "The LORD delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love." Through this declaration, souls are encouraged by the certainty of God's unwavering love, which ultimately propels them through the tumult of life. Sr. Anna Ali, in personification of this hope, found peace, solace, and strength in her deep love for the Blessed Sacrament. Sr. Anna Ali's life is a living proof that the love of Our Adorable Jesus exists inside the Blessed Sacrament and can bring real change. She found spiritual healing, strength, and hope in her profound prayer and adoration, as she knew that Our Adorable Jesus was indeed present there, giving Himself completely for the salvation of souls. She embodies this spirit of commitment when she invites Christians to cultivate this deep longing for the Eucharist, through which they realize that it is a refuge of hope and grace in their life’s journey toward salvation. May we likewise moor to hope that will illuminate our path to eternal life with full confidence that God loves us in the most trustworthy way.