Pope Benedict Spe Salvi - Reflections on Hope - Day 17

Day 17. #34 Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan, in his book of spiritual exercises, tells us that during his life there were long periods when he was unable to pray and that he would hold fast to the texts of the Church's prayer: the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the prayers of the liturgy. Praying must always involve this intermingling of public and personal prayer. This is how we can speak to God and how God speaks to us. In this way we undergo those purifications by which we become open to God and are prepared for the service of our fellow human beings. We become capable of the great hope, and thus we become ministers of hope for others.

Reflection by Msgr. Vaccari
Cardinal Van Thuan was able to pray the prayers of the Church during the most difficult moments of his life. He was able to make his own the prayer of the whole community of believers, who were praying with him, even if he did not know it. When we pray for others, especially those who are suffering, we really support them and help them with our prayers. And when we ourselves are suffering, we can count on the spiritual strength that comes from others in the Church who are praying for us, even if we do not know them by name. Some of the ones who pray for us are in heaven, remembering the difficulties they themselves had while in this world. They are our brothers and sisters in the Lord. The communion of saints is a source of great hope to us, since it is based on Christ and on all of us belonging to Christ.


Reflection by Teresa Monaghen
When we organize Confirmation Retreats we have the young people go through a trust walk, where they are blindfolded and holding hands with about 8 to 10 fellow students. The Leader is God’s representative and takes them on a little walk in the dark. Over the years this exercise has taught me that prayer is a trust walk. We talk to God and listen to Him, but don’t see Him – yet He is really there and He is a real person. He leads and guides us but we most often do not feel Him. Sometimes we are so deeply in the dark that the only thing we can feel is the hand of the person in front of us and behind us and that is what keeps us going.

Oh Lord, Cardinal Van Thuan was on a real trust walk during which the prayer of the community and his blind trust in you kept him going. I pray in thanksgiving for this witness which teaches me that you never abandon us – even when at times it might feel like it. Lord, we trust in you. Amen.

Pope Benedict Spe Salvi - Reflections on Hope - Day 17