How can I become beacon of hope?

By Lissy Maruthanakuzhy

Panaji: At a time when we are surrounded by torrents of unhappy news, can we become beacons of hope? It may look difficult as our circumstances seem to steal our hope.

Some times while trying to reach out to those living alone — the elderly and the sick — through the phone we hear “we are in difficult times,” “life is difficult,” and similar voices.

As Christians we are called to become beacons of hope. Our hope in Christ and what he accomplished through his death and resurrection can help us to be powerful witnesses of hope to people around us.

There is a story in the life of St Edith Stein (a Catholic convert from Judaism; a philosopher, and spiritual writer who was executed by the Nazis because of her Jewish ancestry) which illustrates how we can be ray of hope to another.

One day her friend Anne Reinach who had lost her husband, invited Edith to spend a month with her. Edith had studied philosophy under Anne’s husband Adolph. Edith was happy to spend time with Anne. But she hesitated thinking, “What state of mind Anne wound be.”

When they met, surprisingly Edith found Anne at peace. Anne was grieving but was not distraught. Anne and Adolph had become Christians a few years ago. Anne had placed her trust in Jesus. Edith was impressed by Anne’s faith. She wrote about this experience, “This was the moment my unbelief collapsed, and Christ began to shine his light on me.”

Anne had become a beacon of hope to Edith. The light of Christ was shining through Anne.

Our Christian hope is deeply rooted in Jesus and his resurrection. While hope is a gift from God, we can build our “fortress” of hope by intentionally exercising the virtue. Every action we take to show God’s love, mercy and compassion is a way of bringing hope to people that one day we will live in a better world.

A small event illustrates this point.

A young woman, while entering a coffee shop, noticed a senior man in shabby clothes with forlorn looks. She called him to have coffee with him. At first he hesitated but later joined her. Seated at table, having coffee and snacks, they talked for a long while. He shared with her about his life, abusive father and his loving mother. He left home because of the father, but he could not find a good job. Meanwhile he lost his mother which made him lonely.

As they got up to leave, the man asked the counter for a piece of paper, jotted down something and gave it to her, and walked away. When she opened the note, it surprised her. “Thank you for spending time with me. You have saved my life,” the note read. She had saved a life that day. She had given hope to that man to begin a new life again.

We just celebrated the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale-the Lady with the Lamp as the International Nurses’ Day. The day assumes great significance in times such this. Nurses are the backbone of any hospital. They are angels who bringing succor to people in suffering. They are harbingers of hope in times of pain.

The words of Nightingale ring in our ears, “Live life when you have it. Life is a splendid gift – there is nothing small about it.”

Kalarani in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, is among many who have recognized this gift –life. She and many like her provide food and water to the policemen on duty and those waiting for daily food.

Asked why she doesn’t stay home safe during lockdown instead of going around, she said, “We are safe at home. We eat well and relax. But there are many who are struggling for food. Many are starving.”

The woman who distributes some 50 food packets daily said she had struggled much in life. “Now I am well off. And if someone is in need we provide.”

Kalarani lights a lamp of hope in her beneficiaries. She gives the men in service a feeling that their services are appreciated and wanted. She creates and spreads joy with her kind deed.

Rabindranath Tagore said, “Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.”

Faith and hope can visualize light even in darkness.

God wishes us to become beacons of hope in our world. He wants us to proclaim his resurrection by living in a way that it makes a difference at present, now.

May the risen Lord make us signs of hope to the world.