The Reason for my Hope

Recently, I had the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to the beautiful Assisi, Italy. To be in the site where my namesake, Saint Clare, and our patron, Saint Francis, transformed the world was deeply impactful, both professionally and personally. 

From all over the world, Franciscan-hearted folks gathered in Assisi to learn more about ‘what is ours to do’. How can I be a nonviolent activist? How am I called to be a steward to my global community? How can I use prayer and Scripture to find wells of sustenance? 

Journeying with my team helped me answer these questions through the Mass and group reflection. 

When I traveled on the plane back to the United States, I felt like I was in an unpoppable bubble, full of peace, gratitude, community — truly a feeling of Heaven on Earth. However, once I began to check my email after landing, somehow that bubble felt a bit more poppable. 

After no restoration to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the House still voted to pass the deeply flawed Farm Bill. The US Supreme Court last week struck down Louisiana’s congressional district map, setting the stage for elimination of a Black-majority district, and essentially rewrote Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, undermining protections against racial discrimination. 

After an amazing trip, this felt like: back to reality, but, the pilgrimage was not an escape from reality for me or the 34 other peacemakers. It prepared us for exactly this moment and these challenges. It gave us a durable grounding in hope.  

How can I maintain the ‘bubble’ I was in and share my hope? The only way I know how, is to expand it. I can work to ensure opportunities for hope for millions of others.

When Assisi was under attack, instead of wallowing in either fear or despair, Saint Clare protected the city with her active nonviolence and hope. I can do the same thing for the United States.

I have many emails and calls to make to Congress to express my disapproval with the Farm Bill. There is work to be done in all avenues of justice. However, just as God was present in Assisi, God is present in the United States too. 

We have pilgrims actively sharing the good news of our journey in three different continents! And what a gift that sharing is. My hope endures as I know that this responsibility to the common good lies in my 34 co-pilgrims and with all of you — our hope grows together! Nothing on this Earth is a ‘solo mission’. How could I not have hope when I am inspired by such beacons of God’s creation? 

Together, let us remain united in hope and take action to make that hope tangible for those on the margins who truly need the good news that is the foundation of that hope. 

Question for Reflection: Where is God calling you to share hope during this season?