Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope … 1 Peter 3:15

Naturally and constantly curious, I'm inclined to ask wisdom figures and others whose lives have been a witness to me, "How did you get to be the way that you are?" I want to know what makes them tick. I especially want to know how they've continued to be faithful to works of justice and peace over the long haul, often without seeing any tangible results or desired outcomes. How do they keep their hope alive in a world where it often seems the powers of cynicism and pessimism will dash it to bits?

The answers I receive from these holy ones reveal an unshaken belief that God is at work in our world, that social sin will not be allowed to have the last word, that with God, promises made are promises kept.

Loving God, fill my heart today with this same reason for hope.

Sr. Chris Koelhoffer, I.H.M.

Serve the Lord with gladness. Psalm 100:2

Each of us is called to "serve the Lord" in some way, no matter what our situation in life. Whether we are youthful or aged, limited by illness or actively engaged, we can share the gift of our presence in some positive way.

It never ceases to surprise me how little it takes to bring joy into another person's life. Often our service is simply the attitude we have toward ourselves and others. Sometimes our service consists of very small deeds. We can serve gladly by something so simple as offering a genuine smile when we would prefer a sigh of exasperation or pausing to listen rather than to speak about ourselves. When we respond to others "with gladness" instead of self-oriented gratification, we are extending the kind of spirit that the psalmist encourages. Whenever we start feeling grumpy, full of self-pity or constantly annoyed, it is time to check our motivation for why we act the way we do. It is time to reflect on serving the Lord with gladness.
Sr. Joyce Rupp, O.S,M.