Hope for the realization of things unseen

August 5, 2019
Father Charles Puthota
 
In her poem “God Knows,” British poet Minnie Louise Haskins says: “I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown!’ And he replied: ‘Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.’” King George VI quoted these comforting words of faith in his 1939 Christmas broadcast to a troubled nation of Great Britain at the outbreak of World War II. In the midst of war, terror, and evil, when everything seemed lost, people felt reassured by the call to put their hand into the hand of God. It seemed the only way forward.
 
Abraham, the Father of Faith, is held up by the author of the letter to the Hebrews as an example of such a trusting relationship with God. He put his hand into the hand of God and walked into the unknown. Obeying God’s call, “he went out, not knowing where he was to go.” Abraham sensed the eschatological fulfillment, “for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and maker is God.” In unlikely circumstances, “by faith” Abraham “received power to generate,” because he knew “that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy.” The possibility of the future blessings could be felt already now and the unseen things could in some mysterious way be seen here and now. Mysteriously, the future is the present. The Kingdom of God is not-yet but it is here already! Hence the author of Hebrews summarizes in eminently quotable words Abraham’s faith: “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.”
 
Abraham’s descendants, facing oppression and powerlessness in Egypt, put their hand into the hand of God. The first reading from Wisdom is part of a series of examples of God’s wondrous providence to them, all of which would lead to Exodus. As they kept their “divine institution” of the Passover that night, they possessed a “sure knowledge of the oaths in which they put their faith,” awaiting “the salvation of the just.” Their faith in what God could do for them seemed active, unassailable – and almost tangible. God would be faithful to his promises.
 
The Gospel passage, evoking a hint of Advent, speaks of readiness and vigilance at the coming of the Son of Man. Being prepared to receive Jesus “at an hour you do not expect,” would mean that we are on a constant alert to encounter Jesus with a sustained disposition of experiencing him in life’s diverse happenings. We are called to a lively faith by putting our hand into the hand of Jesus as he walks with us, speaking to us and revealing himself. Then we will get up and go – to share hope for the realization of things unseen.
 
Reflecting on our lives, we may feel helpless that things are not as we had hoped. Our choices may have brought on things we never expected. There may be a touch of evil in the world around us. Sadness and darkness may have cast a pall. Death and disease can distress us for decades. Failure may have brought on ominous overtones. Trapped by circumstances, we may feel hopeless. People may have let us down. Relationships may have broken down. How could we have gotten to where we are? Lack of peace and harmony might affect us deeply, causing sleepless nights. Through it all, we are to hope against hope – almost prophetically – that things we hope for are being realized and that there is evidence already for things of our longings and desires. In faith, we have to cling to that hope. God will come through. He is trustworthy. Always!
 
Mary, “our tainted nature’s solitary boast,” whose glorious Assumption we celebrate joyfully on Aug. 15, is a powerful paradigm of our faith-filled surrender to God’s ways. “Be with us, Mary, along the way; guide every step we take.”
 
Father Charles Puthota, Ph.D., is pastor of St. Veronica Parish, South San Francisco, and director of the archdiocesan Office of Pastoral Ministry.