“Where there’s life, there’s hope.” – J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

Supernatural hope, like faith and charity, is a theological virtue that has its origin in God. Yes, there is also “human (natural)” hope.

Faith and hope are closely related. In his encyclical On Christian Hope (Spe Salvi), Pope Benedict XVI titles his second section “Faith is Hope.” He writes in paragraph 2, “‘Hope,’ in fact, is a key word in Biblical faith – so much so that in several passages the words ‘faith’ and ‘hope’ seem interchangeable. … When the First Letter of Peter exhorts Christians to be always ready to give an answer concerning the logos – the meaning and the reason – of their hope (cf. 3:15), ‘hope’ is equivalent to ‘faith.’ 

“We see how decisively the self-understanding of the early Christians was shaped by their having received the gift of a trustworthy hope, when we compare the Christian life with life prior to faith, or with the situation of the followers of other religions. Paul reminds the Ephesians that before their encounter with Christ they were ‘without hope and without God in the world.’ (Ephesians 2:12).”

Note St. Paul says something that some might find odd. The Ephesians (pagans) were without hope, without God. Does that apply in some way to today’s society?

St. Thomas provides insight on the faith/hope relationship in his Summa with the question, “Whether hope precedes faith?” He says, “Absolutely speaking, faith precedes hope. For the object of hope is a future good, arduous but possible to obtain. In order, therefore, that we may hope, it is necessary for the object of hope to be proposed to us as possible.  

“Now the object of hope is, in one way, eternal happiness, and in another way, the Divine assistance: and both of these are proposed to us by faith, whereby we come to know that we are able to obtain eternal life, and that for this purpose the Divine assistance is ready for us. … (I)t is evident that faith precedes hope.”

One could argue that there is never “blind” hope. Hope must build on something, and that is faith.

A headline from an APM Research Lab survey published Jan. 12, 2022 reads, “Mood of the Nation: Majority of Americans are ‘Extremely Worried’ About the Country in 2022.” It says, “Roughly one-fifth of Americans are “extremely hopeful” about the country’s immediate future; although 1 in 4 Americans explicitly said that ‘nothing made them hopeful.’ The most hopeful Americans placed that hope in politics and, in particular, upcoming elections.”

With all the “enlightened thought” and the technological and medical advances in society, why would there be such “hopelessness?”

In an article published by Harvard Health Publishing on July 16, 2021 and titled, “Hope: Why it Matters,” Adam P. Stern, MD, writes, “Hope is an essential component of our well-being. What can we do when it seems to be in short supply? 

“First, we can start by practicing gratitude. Spending a few minutes each day recounting the positives in one’s life … can have enormous impact. Next, we can begin to actively envision realistic ways that our circumstances may improve. … (C)hoose to be mindful and deliberate about fostering positivity, even in the face of its absence.”

We should practice gratitude more often. But to whom should we offer gratitude? Would we offer gratitude to the sun (god) for a warm day?

As Christians, we should be optimistic (positive/hopeful) in our daily lives because we have supernatural hope. Consider how many Christians martyrs have suffered in faith and hope to the greater glory of God and that their reward will be great.

We might try to compartmentalize natural and supernatural hope. Lots of folks (naturally) hope that the Buckeyes are national champions. But it is supernatural hope that moves us forward to the true destiny.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1817) says, “Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit.”

When you or someone you know starts losing hope, dig down to what that hope is based on. Is Christ the center of their lives? Are we “too humble” to ask for the help of the Holy Spirit?  

Supernatural faith and hope are certain, whereas natural faith and hope can and often do fail.