Hope is one of the theological virtues. As Thomas Aquinas explained, that is “first, because their object is God, inasmuch as they direct us aright to God: secondly, because they are infused in us by God alone: thirdly, because these virtues are not made known to us, save by Divine revelation, contained in Holy Writ.”
In short, Aquinas tells us that genuine Hope is placed in God; received from God; and made known by God.
But of course, the truth is, we can (and do) hope in and for all sorts of things—money, intelligence, political power, other people, good fortune. But are these the objects of genuine hope? Money runs out, our minds will fail, nations rise and fall, our friends and family will one day be gone, and good fortune is fickle. None of them last.
Abraham Hoped in what is eternal; in the promises of God. And Paul in his letter to the Ephesians says that those who are “strangers to [God’s promises] [have] no hope and [are] without God in the world.”
Are Abraham, and Paul, and Aquinas right? Can we possess the virtue of Hope in things that are not eternal? Whatever you think about it, we should always be asking ourselves: In what and for what have I placed my hope? And will it last?
Have a wonderful day.
