Rebirth in hope: Weekly message for 09-07-2021

Dear Friends in Christ,

The poet Carl Sandburg said, “A baby is God’s opinion that life should go on.”

Experience proves that point. Many a family has been reinvigorated with the arrival of a newborn. 

A little one can unite spouses and in-laws, as well as take people’s focus off the crises of the wider world and bring a renewed sense of hope.

Those sentiments, and more, are appropriate on September 8 when we celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Though her birth likely drew little attention in the world, perhaps in heaven the angels were already rejoicing, knowing that Mary’s entrance into the life of Israel foreshadowed a far greater Birth to come. The coming of her Son would bring a great light into a darkened world.

Birth and hope: that is a combination worth keeping in mind as the world lurches from one crisis to the next.

Mankind itself won’t fix all of its problems — it never has, since the days of the Garden of Eden.

The one who can remedy things is Our Lord. He has his moment for renewal, and often he likes to work on the fresh canvas of young souls, including some still nestling in wombs and cradles.

So, if we want a reason for hope, we should look to Our Lord (not least in the Eucharist) and to the babies in our midst. 

We can do our share in building a better world, in part, by helping parents in their great mission of raising and educating children.

And it’s easier to have hope when we sense the peace that Christ can bring us. To rediscover some of that peace, it might help to turn to one of our Retreat Guides.

Think of it as a baby step toward a rebirth of hope.

In Christ,

Father Edward McIlmail, LC
Ask a Priest contributor