I had a colleague who had a rather unique perspective on hope. He would tell his kids or anyone he mentored that hope is not a strategy. And, perhaps, from the perspective of business plans, goal setting and successful careers, he had a good point regarding doing the hard work to accomplish career goals. But creating hope is a very different process.
The Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 is a special holy year declared by the Catholic church, centered on the theme of “Pilgrims of Hope.”
It began on Dec. 24, 2024, and runs until Jan. 6, 2026. During this time, all are encouraged to engage in acts of faith, such as pilgrimage, prayer and works of mercy, to experience spiritual renewal and forgiveness.
The year of hope was declared by Pope Francis, who passed away before the year concluded, and was continued by Pope Leo. This makes me realize how significant hope is and how hope transcends all ages, churches, communities, cultures and even countries.
Creating hope can begin on a very personal level and on a small scale. The end of the Jubilee Year of Hope happens to end during our holiday season, but is also during the winter season.
Opportunities to help appear in many forms. In our county, the network of food providers to provide food security is indeed a great way to step in and help create hope. Now is also the opportunity to give time. Doing something small for an elderly neighbor, like taking something little, will provide an opportunity to sit and listen. It’s a selfless act to show dignity and respect, and to let them know their experiences and wisdom are important, and that they create hope.
It is important to acknowledge those who work tirelessly to provide works of mercy.
However, small efforts also amount to creating hope. Something as simple as giving a kind word to a mother who is struggling to create security for her children or an offer to provide some help, even giving something small but fun for the children. This is the nature of being a pilgrim of hope.
Many entities do exist in our county who provide help and support; Friends and Neighbors in Need is but one. Friends and Neighbors in Need have what are called survival kits, which are kits that have toiletries, towels, dog food, socks and food/gas cards, small things that simply say: Have hope.
Creating hope is something all of us can do and in doing so we become pilgrims of hope. Being a pilgrim of hope puts us in a unique role of creating a tide, where hope turns into faith and courage and gets passed on. Pilgrims of hope live to pay it forward, by creating hope.
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