Hope Rising – Dream Anew
Return to Our 2025 Lenten Pilgrimage of Hope
May the God of hope fill you with such peace and joy in your faith, that you may be filled with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
The stories we are writing today are the stories of the messy middle. Through the way he was born, the way he lived and loved, and even the way he died, Jesus showed us how to live here in the messy middle. With heaven and earth, hope and sorrow. He sent us the Holy Spirit to transform us into new places of belonging. So what can we do but join in singing out the grand invitation: “Come!” Come and trust who God says you are. Come and join what God’s Spirit is doing. Come and live and love like Jesus. There are more seats at the table and you, dear friend—you Belong.
Reflection from: The Book of Belonging: Bible Stories for Kind and Contemplative Kids by Mariko Clark Straton © 2024
Let Us Pray
God of Hope and Belonging, as we enter this season of Alleluia, let your example of everlasting love renew us. We pray in thanksgiving for the blessings in our lives — beautiful sunrises and sunsets, smiles and hugs, kind words and gestures. They surround us if only we pause to notice. May our words and deeds serve as a reminder of the transformative power of Your love. May we always walk together as pilgrims of hope, celebrating Your glorious creation. Amen
Reflection Questions
- Lament opens our hearts and frees us to dream anew. What is the dream that you are being called to consider? How is hope arising in you?
- What “hope in action” will you take as a Pilgrim of Hope: Celebrating Creation?
Hope In Action
Living and loving like Jesus in the “messy middle” isn’t easy, so be compassionate and kind to yourself as you work for kindness and compassion in our wonderous yet wounded world. Use prayers of lament to acknowledge your pain, seek support from others, educate yourself with trusted sources, listen deeply as Jesus taught those who are different, and take action that is appropriate for you. This may be prayer, letter writing, or finding ways to get involved in “good trouble.” Look for and celebrate the goodness that surrounds us.
Happy Easter Season!