Grace and hope

In the story of Les Miserables (The Wretched), after his release from prison, Jean Valjean is invited to a bishop's residence, given a meal and a room for the night. During the night Valjean steals some of the silverware and runs away, but is caught by the gendarmes, who bring him back to the bishop with the stolen items. Instead of accusing Jean, the bishop gives him two silver candlesticks and gives the impression that he gave him the items.

Jean Valjean, hardened and cynical by a long prison sentence for stealing bread to feed his sister's children, was transformed by this act of grace from the bishop. Instead of being sent back to prison, he was able to begin an honest life. Instead of having to live the life of a convict, he was now given hope. Is this not the message we should bring to a world darkened by darkness? Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica: "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and by grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word." (2. Thess 2,16-17).

Who is the source of our hope? It is our triune God, who gives us eternal encouragement and good hope: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade, and is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are protected by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1. Petr 1,3-5).

The apostle Peter says that through Jesus' resurrection we have a living hope. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are the source of all love and grace. When we understand this, we will be greatly encouraged and given hope now and for the future. This hope, which encourages and strengthens us, leads us to respond with good words and deeds. As believers who believe that people were created in God's image, we want to make a positive impression on others in our interpersonal relationships. We want others to feel encouraged, empowered, and hopeful. Unfortunately, if we do not focus on the hope that exists in Jesus, our dealings with people can leave others feeling discouraged, unloved, devalued, and hopeless. This is something we should really think about in all of our encounters with other people.

Life is sometimes very complex and we face challenges in relationships with others, but also with ourselves. How do we, as parents who want to raise and support their children, deal with problems when they arise? How do we as an employer, supervisor or administrator deal with difficulties with an employee or employee? Do we prepare by focusing on our relationship with Christ? The truth is that our fellow human beings are loved and valued by God?

It is painful to endure negative comments, insults, unfair treatment, and hurt. If we don't focus on the wonderful truth that nothing can separate us from God's love and grace, we can easily give in and allow negativity to drain us, leaving us discouraged and unmotivated. Thank God we have hope and can remind others of the hope that is in us and can be in them: "But in your hearts honor Christ as Lord, always being prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that is in you. Do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame when they insult your good conduct in Christ." (1. Petr 3,15-16).

So what is the basis for the hope we have? It is the love and grace of God, given to us in Jesus. Through this we live. We are the recipients of his gracious love. Through the Father, Jesus Christ loves us and gives us unfailing encouragement and a sure hope: “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and by grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.” (2. Thess 2,16-17).

Through the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, we learn to understand and believe in the hope we have in Jesus. Peter exhorts us not to lose our firm footing: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever!” (2. Petr 3,18).

In the musical Les Misérables, Jean Valjean sings the song "Who am I?" at the end. The song contains the lyrics: "He gave me hope when it vanished. He gave me strength to overcome." One might wonder if these words are taken from Paul's letter to the believers in Rome: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Röm 15,13).

Because of the resurrection of Jesus and the associated message of hope for a wonderful future, it is good to reflect on Jesus' highest act of love: "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in human likeness." (Phil 2,6-7).

Jesus humbled himself to become man. He graciously graces each of us so that we may be filled with his hope. Jesus Christ is our living hope!

by Robert Regazzoli