You may recall that a scribe once asked Jesus, of all the commandments, which was the greatest. Jesus replied: “The first is: ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30–31) This is the greatest goal and meaning of our lives. In fact, at the Final Judgment, we will be judged according to the standard of “love”. Therefore, we should strive to increase our capacity to love and make that the primary goal of our lives.
Hopefully, through this retreat, we have come to realize that aside from God Himself, what we most need is sufficient hope to fuel our love! Love is not just a fleeting impulse; it requires time, patience, sacrifice, and perseverance. It is not something that a person without hope can achieve. Thus, to fulfill the meaning of life by loving God and others, we must become people of hope. Hope plays a vital role in this mission.
Our "hope index" is influenced by many internal and external factors, especially in today’s unpredictable world, where the external environment can easily affect our emotions and are difficult for us to control. When our understanding, perspectives, attitudes, and worldview are skewed, we are easily led into disappointment, or even despair.
This is precisely why God has given us the theological virtue of hope: to guide and protect us in our lives. The foundation of our faith helps align our vision and will with God's, giving us the right worldview and values to face life’s trials and challenges. When faced with challenges in life, we realize how small and limited we are, and know that we need to rely on a power beyond ourselves to overcome these challenges. Unfortunately, many people rely on earthly wealth, power, and status, mistakenly believing they can control everything. But this is an illusion, a trap set by the devil to lead us to destruction. For Christians, our reliance must be on God. Our trust lies in a real, personal relationship with God and in His promises. This is the foundation and source of our hope.
To strengthen our hope, we must understand the kind of relationship God desires with us and what our identity is. Jesus said He no longer calls us servants, but friends. And He entrusted us with the mission of continuing His work on earth. God wants us to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, cooperate with Him, aligning ourselves with the Father’s plan and participate in His work of salvation. As God once said to St. Catherine of Siena: “I created you without your help, but I will not save you without it.” This shows that God desires and needs our participation in His work of salvation. He needs us to respond, to accept His love and salvation, and to spread this gift of salvation, freely given us, so that more people may attain eternal life.
God invites us to return His love by becoming channels of His love in the world, to spread His love like He did, without any conditions or expectation of return, with the same selfless spirit. Unfortunately, most people respond with indifference, rejecting His love and refusing to share this saving love with others.
Since the light of Christ entered the world, God’s will is for us Christians to spread this light throughout the world. Unfortunately, our hardened hearts make us unresponsive to Him, causing Him grief. In the Book of Revelation, chapter 3, verse 15, God says: “I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot.” We can feel God’s anger, which He continues to express in verse 16: “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” This sadly reflects the current state of many Christians. It could be said that in our generation, Christ’s light is perhaps at its dimmest. Our supposedly strong "faith" has been destroyed by worldliness and the devil, and the "hope" of Christians is about to be extinguished! Christian hope is meant to be the pillar of hope for the world. But this pillar is about to collapse. Can we afford to delay our response to God any longer? How much longer must God endure this faithless and hopeless generation? The Gospel of John, also written by John the Evangelist, says this in chapter 3, verse 16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” God loves us this deeply, yet we treat Him with such indifference. Is this the attitude we should have? Can we bear to make God wait in pain any longer?
As the Book of James, chapter 2, verse 17 says: “Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” The same is true for hope. Hope is a choice. It is not passive. It calls for response and action. Christian hope without action brings no real hope to life; it becomes a self-deceiving illusion! Since the object of our hope is the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life, we must live in the Kingdom now and move toward eternal life. We know that the Kingdom is Jesus, and He is the Word, the Word of God.
As the Mother of Hope, Our Lady responded quickly to God’s call because she cherished the Word, keeping it in her heart and pondering it deeply. We must also treasure the Word of God, listening attentively to it in prayer, and building an unbreakable relationship of trust with Him.
This trust helps us submit to God’s will. If we rely not on our own strength, but on the guidance and grace of the Holy Spirit, our "hope index" will be less susceptible to external circumstances, and we will be more capable of becoming bearers of hope.
In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 13, verses 44 to 46, Jesus uses two parables to describe the Kingdom of Heaven: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:44–46)
Finally, our trust in Jesus should lead us to believe that the Kingdom of Heaven is more precious than anything else in the world! So what is still holding us back from making the decision to be like those two characters in the parables, selling everything that is less important to obtain the treasure of the Kingdom?
God’s radical love requires our radical response. If we admit that nothing in this world compares to God and that He is the source of all hope, we should not waste time or lose the big picture, because the opportunity to respond may be gone at any time!
Jesus said to those who were half-hearted and unwilling to make up their minds to follow Him “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) Let us not be the one who disappoints God!
Today’s Prayer
Abba Father, I sincerely thank and praise You for giving me the precious opportunity of this forty-day retreat, allowing me to better understand Your will for me, and to know that nothing can stop Your radical, selfless love for me!
The sacrifice You made for me through Jesus once left me in awe. But my selfishness hindered my determination to respond to You, and prevented Your great love from flowing through me. Thank You for awakening me, and helping me understand how deeply You desire my participation in Your salvation plan. I am willing to respond to Jesus’ call and submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I long to see the power of the Holy Spirit manifest in me. I desire to l...
In our reflection on the twenty-fifth day of the retreat, we mentioned that while “hope” may seem small in the eyes of most people, it bears the important role of leading and propelling both “faith” and “love”. It has the power to move people into action. In His farewell message during the Last Supper, Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment:
"Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35) Jesus did not only teach this with words, He acted. He got up to wash His disciples’ feet, setting an example for them, encouraging them to develop an attitude and habit of serving one another, because love without action is dead. Even as He faced suffering and the anticipated crucifixion on the cross, Jesus retained inner freedom and strength, and was able to wash His disciples' feet and patiently taught them. This not only demonstrated His deep love for His disciples but also showed how the Holy Spirit empowered Him through hope.
In fact, when we possess true “faith” and “hope”, we naturally gain the capacity to “love”. We must remember that the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love are gifts from God. All actions grounded in these virtues draw their strength and motivation from the Holy Spirit. From Jesus, we witness the mighty supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.
It was the power of the Holy Spirit that moved Jesus, who loves us to the end, to take up His cross and embark on the Way of the Cross towards Calvary. On the cross, He gave up His life for us, not only fulfilling the new commandment of love with His actions, but elevating its spirit to a new height.
In John 15:12–14, Jesus reaffirms His command to love one another: "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you." Jesus wasn't speaking empty words. He meant what He said. He truly sees us as His friends, His most beloved friends.
However, He didn't only die for His friends, but also for His enemies and even for those who crucified Him. That is the true essence of love taught by God. This kind of love doesn’t seek its own benefit. It thinks solely of the good of others, without any conditions and without expecting anything in return. Jesus calls us to love as He did, even to love our enemies. This is what He taught in Luke 6:27–28: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." So Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was not just for His friends. It was for His enemies as well, because He loves them all.
We might think, “Jesus could do that because He is the Son of God. How could we ever reach that level of love?” But we must understand that Jesus will never ask us to do something that is impossible for us. True, we cannot do it on our own. But by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit and the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love that He has given us, we can. We must remember that with God, nothing is impossible!
Jesus wants us to witness from Him that, as a true man, empowered by the Holy Spirit and the virtues of faith, hope and love, He was able to fulfill the great mission entrusted to Him by the Father. In the same way, through the grace and strength given to us by the same Holy Spirit, we too can accomplish the great works that God wants to work in us.
Therefore, Jesus continues in John 15:15–17: "I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name." (John 15:12-17)
Indeed, through His teachings and His role model, Jesus has revealed to us everything He heard from the Father. He wants us to continue His mission and has chosen us to bear lasting fruit, the fruits born of faith, hope, and love. And as we fulfill the mission that our Heavenly Father has given us, we can boldly ask for whatever we need in Jesus’ name, and the Father will grant them to us!
Reflection
Have you ever felt overwhelmed or powerless when trying to live out the virtue of love? Reflect on the reasons behind that feeling.
Learn from Jesus’ actions of love and His great love for you, expressed by His death on the cross. When you lack the motivation or strength to live out love, what can inspire you to pick up the strength and carry on?
Now, in prayer, ask the Holy Spirit for inspiration and wisdom to discern how to cooperate with Him in your daily life to live out Jesus’ teachings and fulfill the mission the Father has entrusted to you.
Today’s Prayer
My beloved Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You for all the suffering and humiliation You endured for me, and for Your innocent death on the cross because of my sins. Looking at You on the cross, my heart aches deeply. I dare not, but cannot help but ask: What can I do for You?
I understand that Your love for me is unconditional. You do not want me to do something for You. You only ask for my repentance. You only hope that I will not repeat the same mistakes. I know You want me to learn from Your example, to become more like You, so that others may recognize me as Your disciple through the way I live out love.
However, I really don’t have the confidence and ability to learn to love others as You love me.
Holy Spirit, please come upon me. Grant me the virtues of faith, hope, and love, and all the strength I need to fulfill this new commandment Jesus has given me. Please strengthen my faith again, so that I may know that even though I cannot do it, I believe God can!
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Fundraising Appeal
Thank you for participating in this 40-day Lenten spiritual journey. We hope you have been inspired and have benefitted from it! For the spiritual benefit of all of you, Fountain of Love and Life devotes a lot of time and effort in producing various spiritual projects every year, and all our ministries are sustained by the generous donations of our supporters. We hope you will support us with prayers and donations. Please make an online donation using the button at the top of the website Lent.FLL.cc. Thank you very much for your support. God bless!
The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Arnold Chan, Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
"3 MINUTES RELAXATION MUSIC | 4K Scenic View of Tuscany" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Sea of Memory” by ...
God's desire is that we may be with Him not only in this life but also in eternal life, and that we may enjoy and receive all that is best. Everything He has done and arranged for us is for our greatest benefit. Since our first ancestors betrayed God, not only did God not abandon us, but for our sake, He saved us through the birth, suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. He also established the Church on earth for us, sent the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide us, and instituted the sacraments to nourish and remain with us. Through Jesus, God brought the Kingdom of Heaven into the world, allowing us to have a foretaste of its sweetness, so that we may yearn for it even more and be filled with hope in our lives. The ultimate goal is to ensure that we can smoothly transition through our earthly lives and enter eternal life, to be with Him forever.
In a sense, God has already done everything He could for us and He is simply waiting for our response. In Jesus’ first parable about the Kingdom of Heaven, the Parable of the Sower, He explains the mindset and attitude we should have in order to receive the word of the Kingdom into our lives, so that the Word may take root in our hearts and transform us and our lives. (Cf. Matthew 13:1–23)
Unfortunately, most people do not allow the message of the Kingdom to enter their lives. Many even respond with indifference. In the parable, Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah to describe them: “You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn and I would heal them.” (Matthew 13:14-15) Those who do not have open hearts or space within will not listen to or accept the word of the Kingdom, nor will they have the patience to understand it.
In contrast, Jesus describes in the parable that the seeds falling on good soil will bear fruit a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold. For the farmers of that time, such a harvest was unimaginable. This shows that for those who accept God's salvation and His Kingdom, He has prepared unexpected and unimaginable rewards and blessings! For those who seek the Kingdom and are willing to listen with open hearts and receive its message, how could this not lead to a great harvest? How could it not bring immense hope to their lives? Therefore, to be willing to listen to God's Word is to dwell in the Kingdom of Heaven. It is the key to letting the Kingdom take root in our hearts, and it is the reason we can find true hope in our lives.
That is why Jesus said to His disciples: “But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.” (Matthew 13:16) This blessing is in stark contrast to those who, because of their hardened hearts, refuse to listen. So when facing people who see but do not perceive, hear but do not understand, and whose hardened hearts keep them from turning back, how could Jesus not feel sad and helpless?
Jesus is the sower who generously scatters the Word of God. But in the face of people’s indifference toward the Word and their coldness toward God, how could Jesus not feel heartbroken? No wonder He ended the parable with this plea: “Let anyone with ears listen!” (Matthew 13:9)
Reflection
How seriously do you take the Word of God? Have you put it into practice in your life, or is it just knowledge in your head?
What in your life hinders you from hearing and receiving God’s Word? What actions can you take to become the fertile soil that bears fruit a hundredfold?
Take a moment to savour everything God has done for you. What more do you think God needs to do for you to make you more willing to receive His Word and live it out?
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for generously sowing the Word of God into my heart. I understand Your expectations of me. Through today’s reflection, I feel even more deeply Your sorrow, because of my hardened heart, I have not treated every word You speak to me with the seriousness it deserves.
I understand that You have already done everything You can. You are simply waiting for my response, hoping that I will diligently cultivate the field of my heart and remove all obstacles that prevent me from bearing fruit.
I don't want to cause You pain anymore! Please help me! Open my eyes to see, my ears to hear Your Word, and transform my hardened heart into one that is sensitive and discerning of Your will for me!
Lord Jesus, thank You once again! I love You!
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Fundraising Appeal
Thank you for participating in this 40-day Lenten spiritual journey. We hope you have been inspired and have benefitted from it! For the spiritual benefit of all of you, Fountain of Love and Life devotes a lot of time and effort in producing various spiritual projects every year, and all our ministries are sustained by the generous donations of our supporters. We hope you will support us with prayers and donations. Please make an online donation using the button at the top of the website Lent.FLL.cc. Thank you very much for your support. God bless!
The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Arnold Chan, Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
"3 MINUTES RELAXATION MUSIC | 4K Scenic View of Tuscany" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Sea of Memory” by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria
★ Support this podcast ★Throughout this retreat, we have touched on various concepts related to the Kingdom of Heaven. Now, let us delve deeper into what exactly this Kingdom refers to, and where it is.
As the name suggests, the Kingdom of Heaven is the Kingdom of God, meaning that God, through Jesus Christ, reigns over all creation. Jesus is the King of this Kingdom.
Pope Benedict XVI, in the first volume of his book Jesus of Nazareth, explains that the Kingdom is not a thing, it is not a geographical dominion like worldly kingdoms. It is a person; it is Jesus Himself.
Through His teachings and example, Jesus fulfilled the will of the Father and embodied the spirit of the Kingdom. Therefore, Pope Benedict XVI emphasizes that the Kingdom of God is Jesus Himself. His incarnation as a human being embodies the fact that the Kingdom of Heaven has come to earth. Pope Benedict XVI further states: "By the way in which he speaks of the Kingdom of God, Jesus leads men to realize the overwhelming fact that in him God himself is present among them, that he is God’s presence.”
In reality, the Kingdom of God exists in the hearts of people and within the Church that Jesus established. It exists through the Church. Thus, the Kingdom of God is not just a hope for the future, but is already present in this world through the Holy Spirit, the Church, and the Sacraments. However, the Kingdom of Heaven on earth is imperfect because the Church is a church of sinners. Just as Jesus used the parable of the weeds among the wheat (cf. Matthew 13:30) to describe the Kingdom of Heaven, He said that both will grow together in the field until the harvest, which is until Christ returns for the final judgment. So, the Kingdom of Heaven is also a future reality, to be fully realized at the end of the world when Christ comes again. This is the concept of the Kingdom of Heaven having already begun but not yet completed.
To find hope in the Kingdom of God, we first need a heart of repentance and conversion. This means we must transform our heart and mindset to turn away from sin, and join the family of the Church through the Sacrament of Baptism, becoming a part of the Church, which is the Body of Christ, the Mystical Body of Christ. We must live in Christ and attain communion with all those loved by God, our brothers and sisters in Christ, so that our lives may be made whole.
Through the Church and within the Church, we can more easily discern the will of God and live out the spirit of the Kingdom of Heaven, that is, the spirit of Christ. To do so, we need to live by the Word, for Christ is the Word. Those who hear the words of Christ and act on them will build their lives on a solid foundation and become heirs of the Kingdom. But to inherit the Kingdom, we must fulfill the new commandment that Jesus gave when He instituted the Church, that is, we must love one another as He has loved us. This new commandment of love is the core of the Kingdom of Heaven! It also helps us to embody and carry out the justice and will of our Heavenly Father within the Kingdom, that is, in the Church and in the world today. By doing so, we can bring transformation to the world, reshape human relationships, and foster a culture of true love, peace, forgiveness, and service to one another.
When our hearts proclaim Jesus as our Saviour and King, and we sincerely live out His teachings to love God and others, then we truly live in the Kingdom of Heaven. At the same time, the Kingdom, that is, Jesus Christ, lives within us and takes root in our hearts. Our lives are made complete in the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and love given to us by God. With steadfast hope, we can look forward to the second coming of the King of Heaven, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection
Do you yearn to live within the Kingdom of God? How can you turn this longing into reality by living out the spirit of the Kingdom and of Christ in your daily life?
Do you long for the perfect Kingdom of Heaven that will come when Jesus returns? How will you prepare yourself to welcome the arrival of this new heaven and new earth?
Are you living in the Mystical Body of Christ, that is, within the Church, and in communion with your brothers and sisters in the faith, supporting one another as you journey together toward the Kingdom of Heaven?
Today's Prayer
Abba Father, I sincerely thank You for letting Jesus become man for the sake of the mankind You love and for my sake. Not only did He suffer, endure hardship, and die on the cross for me, He was also willing to experience all the pain of this world just to be truly present with me.
But my life is so busy, and there are so many temptations. I also have many earthly desires and cravings that leave no room for me to sense Your presence in my life, to appreciate all You’ve done for me. I have not truly lived in Your Kingdom or lived out its essence.
Thank You for Your patience with me. I know You have been waiting, waiting for me to awaken, waiting for me to draw closer to You.
Please grant me Your vision, so that I may see Your Kingdom here on earth. And please give me a desire to immerse myself in the life of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, so that I may truly find the hope of life in the Kingdom of God here on earth.
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Fundraising Appeal
Thank you for participating in this 40-day Lenten spiritual journey. We hope you have been inspired and have benefitted from it! For the spiritual benefit of all of you, Fountain of Love and Life devotes a lot of time and effort in producing various spiritual projects every year, and all our ministries are sustained by the generous donations of our supporters. We hope you will support us with prayers and donations. Please make an online donation using the button at the top of the website Lent.FLL.cc. Thank you very much for your support. God bless!
The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Arnold Chan, Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
"3 MINUTES RELAXATION MUSIC | 4K Scenic View of Tuscany" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Sea of Memory” by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria
★ Support this podcast ★Today, let us take a different perspective and look at another stumbling block that hinders us from finding hope. It turns out that another way to test and reveal the extent of our faith and hope is to consider: what do we ask of God?
The rich young man came before Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16) The rich young man longed for eternal life and yearned to attain it, showing that he regarded eternal life as his happiness, which precisely fits the definition of the virtue of hope in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1817)
In addition, he had the right goal and desired to do good, which is exactly what Jesus teaches us. Therefore, Jesus loved him very much (cf. Mark 10:21). However, his simple question revealed the mindset of the rich young man. He hoped to earn eternal life by doing something himself. What he believed in was his own ability, rather than relying on God's grace.
On the other hand, Peter even boldly asked Jesus for a reward, on behalf of himself and the other disciples, because they had willingly given up everything to follow Him.
The former, that is, the rich young man, wanted to show that he had the ability to respond to God’s demands and accomplish certain things; the latter, that is, Peter, felt self-satisfied and compared themselves with the rich young man, believing that he and his companions had already given up everything for Jesus, and hoped that Jesus would somehow reward them.
We can clearly see that Peter and the disciples had indeed taken a significant step further than the rich young man. On the path of growing in the virtues of faith and hope, the disciples were undeniably closer to God’s Kingdom than the young man. However, let us take our analysis a step further.
What Jesus asks of us first and foremost is not to rely on earthly wealth. For He solemnly said to His disciples: “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:24–25) Therefore, the primary condition Jesus set for His chosen disciples was that they must give up everything to follow Him.
At that time, Jesus began with a more basic requirement, inviting the rich young man to keep God’s commandments. In an effort to demonstrate his faith and capability, the rich young man confidently responded to Jesus, saying that he had kept all of them. So Jesus then said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:21) Jesus’ response might strike us as blunt, harsh, or even unreasonable, but in reality, it is not.
Jesus knew that if we are to follow Him successfully and faithfully, we must trust Him with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind. The prerequisite is our willingness to let go of earthly wealth. But refraining from relying on our possessions and material riches is only the first step! What is even more difficult is to stop depending on our own abilities, including our skills, our capacity to handle things, and the belief that we can achieve our goals by our own methods and willpower.
Just like the rich young man believed he could fulfill Jesus’ demands through his own strength, Peter and the disciples also thought that by their own will, they had the power to choose to leave everything behind and follow Jesus.
So, although there was still a significant gap between the rich young man and the disciples in their response to God and their journey of building the virtue of hope, they had not yet met Jesus’ requirement: to deny themselves, to stop relying on their own abilities, and to fully trust and follow Him.
That is why Jesus looked at His disciples intently and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
As we set our hearts on reaching a more complete and mature hope, let us reflect seriously and examine our current state, considering how we can truly deny ourselves, make the deliberate choice to let go of all that binds us to the world, and resist the temptation to place our trust in our own abilities.
Reflection
Now, take a moment to examine yourself carefully. Do you tend to think that you are doing quite well, and are self-righteous, so that you are unaware of your own flaws and weaknesses?
Do you tend to rely on your own abilities, or become prideful and self-satisfied because of the right choices you have made or the good deeds you have done?
As you journey toward attaining a fuller and more complete faith and hope, take time to assess your progress and identify any stumbling blocks along the way. In prayer, invite the Holy Spirit to help you.
Today’s Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, today’s reflection has shaken me and opened my eyes! I have realized that on my journey of faith and hope, I still have many blind spots! These blind spots have caused me to fall unknowingly into the temptation of pride, and even became self-satisfied… I feel truly ashamed.
I now see that there is still much I need to work on, and so much room for growth. I thank You for allowing me to recognize today that in the past, because of my self-righteousness, I have missed many opportunities You gave me to grow in virtue and holiness. Even more importantly, I missed moments of encountering You, moments when I failed to hear Your call and thus lost the chance to respond to You.
Please save me from a prideful and self-satisfied mindset. Help me to trust and rely on You wholeheartedly, so that I may not fall into the enemy’s trap due to my arrogance and ignorance, and hurt You as a result.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. From this moment on, I choose to trust and take refuge in You with all my heart!
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Fundraising Appeal
Thank you for participating in this 40-day Lenten spiritual journey. We hope you have been inspired and have benefitted from it! For the spiritual benefit of all of you, Fountain of Love and Life devotes a lot of time and effort in producing various spiritual projects every year, and all our ministries are sustained by the generous donations of our supporters. We hope you will support us with prayers and donations. Please make an online donation using the button at the top of the website Lent.FLL.cc. Thank you very much for your support. God bless!
The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Arnold Chan, Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
"3 MINUTES RELAXATION MUSIC | 4K Scenic View of Tuscany" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Sea of Memory” by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria
...
During the previous day’s retreat, we explored the following questions: “Where do we invest our energy and life? What exactly are we asking of God?” Today, we continue this topic.
I hope you still remember that we previously talked about the Gospel story of the rich young man (cf. Matthew 19:16–26). After that story, there’s a short episode that is also worth reflecting on. The rich young man, unwilling to part with his possessions, failed to respond to Jesus' call and went away grieving.
Jesus then said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:23–27)
Peter then spoke up and said to Jesus: “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” (Matthew 19:27) (cf. Mark 10:28)
Jesus answered: “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.” (Mark 10:29–30)
Here we see that even Peter, the chief of the apostles, couldn’t help but ask Jesus what the reward would be for following Him. Jesus wasn’t the least bit offended or displeased by the question. He didn’t rebuke Peter but instead responded seriously. His answer shows that if someone is willing to generously give up everything for His sake and for the sake of the Gospel, not only will they gain eternal life, but they will also receive a hundredfold reward even in this life! Of course, not everyone is called to give up everything to follow Jesus. But Jesus’ response teaches us that if we’re willing to let go of material things and worldly pleasures for His sake, God will never treat us unfairly in this life, in fact, He will reward us abundantly. In short, if we are generous with God, He will be even more generous with us. He is never outdone in generosity!
You might have noticed that Jesus even included “persecutions” as part of the reward! You may be thinking: No way!
This isn’t because Jesus purposely wants to make life hard for us. It’s because He knows that anyone who truly follows Him will face some level of rejection, resistance, opposition, exclusion, or even hatred and persecution from the world. This is actually unreasonable treatment, but because the followers love the Lord so deeply that they are willing to endure all kinds of persecution for His sake. This is why St. Paul the apostle firmly said in his second letter to Timothy, chapter 3, verse 12, “Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” This ties into what we discussed earlier, how suffering on our earthly pilgrimage is something that benefits us spiritually.
Let us remind ourselves once again that the foundation of the virtue of hope is trust in Christ’s promises. Our level of trust in God is reflected in how willing we are to let go of our dependence on worldly things, and how much we are willing to surrender our “possessions” in order to choose God. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
If our hearts are not with God, then we are not living in the Kingdom of God. As Jesus warned His disciples, the more we trust in riches, and the more we accumulate and cling to, the harder it is to enter God’s Kingdom (cf. Mark 10:24).
When we don’t yearn for or live in God’s Kingdom, we cannot find true hope. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines hope as follows: “Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1817)
No wonder the rich young man, unable to let go, ended up losing his hope, went away grieving. (cf. Mark 10:22)
Reflection
Do you have things in your life that you struggle to let go of, things that hinder you from responding to God’s call or seizing the opportunities He gives you? How would you like to begin changing that?
Where do you want your reward and your treasure to be? What are you really seeking?
Have you ever felt lost or even felt that your life has lost its meaning because you didn’t choose God or the path to His Kingdom? In prayer, ask God to show you the path He desires for you to take.
Today’s Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for once again drawing me into that moment of Your encounter with the rich young man, and allowing me to experience the tension between Your invitation and my attachments. My mind tells me I should choose You, but my weak will always prevents me from giving up what I possess. My reason tells me all of this comes from You and should rightfully be returned to You, but I still can’t let go.
I know this reveals my lack of trust in You, a lack of the security that should come from being rooted in You. That’s why I haven’t chosen You or the path You want me to take.
Lord Jesus, what should I do? Please fill in the gaps of my unbelief. Don’t let me remain stuck, wavering and indecisive, disappointing You once again!
Help me to follow St. Peter’s example, to dare to ask, to dare to seek, and to dare to accept the answer You give me, even if it’s not what I wanted. But because I love You, I am willing!
--------------------
Fundraising Appeal
Thank you for participating in this 40-day Lenten spiritual journey. We hope you have been inspired and have benefitted from it! For the spiritual benefit of all of you, Fountain of Love and Life devotes a lot of time and effort in producing various spiritual projects every year, and all our ministries are sustained by the generous donations of our supporters. We hope you will support us with prayers and donations. Please make an online donation using the button at the top of the website Lent.FLL.cc. Thank you very much for your support. God bless!
The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Arnold Chan, Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
"3 MINUTES RELAXATION MUSIC | 4K Scenic View of Tuscany" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Sea of Memory” by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria
★ Support this podcast ★When we build relationships with others, we need to get to know each other. As we continue to deepen our relationship with God, let us also take a moment to reflect on human nature.
Although God created humans in His own image, there’s often a clear case of “the goods not matching the label”! This isn’t because God made a mistake, but rather due to the sinful nature of man. Humans are selfish and self-centered, leading us to be greedy or to be overly calculating. These weaknesses are easy to spot in both ourselves and others. When we are taken advantage of or used by others for their gain, we feel angry.
There is only one being in the world who doesn’t mind us constantly drawing benefits from Him, and that is God! Hebrews 11:6 says: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
Take note. God does not set many conditions here. The only requirement is that we believe in His existence and that He will reward those who seek Him. This is no simple promise! Unfortunately, few people have uncovered this mystery, and most are only concerned with tangible, immediate benefits.
People tend to worry and live in the future, rather than in the present. Yet because “hope” relates to the future, those of us who often worry need to strengthen our “hope” to ease our anxiety about the future.
Who doesn't long for a better future? But this hope is often out of touch with reality. Especially as our bodies age, energy declines, and our ability to act or respond diminishes, even just thinking about these things can make us feel depressed! So deep down we know that a better future, while not impossible, is by no means easy!
When our minds are consumed by the idea that we are moving toward death, it is difficult to maintain a positive and proactive attitude towards what is happening to us. But we must remember that we are made for eternity. So we need to have a long-term vision and not be short-sighted!
Those who understand investment always go for long-term returns, not short-term ones. How much more should that apply to our lives? And here’s the greatest news: when we invest our greatest effort into building a relationship with God, the return isn’t just in heaven, but also here on earth.
One day, we will come to realize that we cannot rely solely on ourselves. We also know that relying on material things can’t bring spiritual comfort, only human relationships can bring spiritual satisfaction. Yet God desires to give us even more, He wants our souls to be satisfied. So, when seeking the best foundation to lean on, how can God not be our first choice!
Isn’t it so? Ask yourself: who in this world is all-powerful? Who can guarantee they won’t depart from this life before us? Who will always be with us in times of need? Who is utterly trustworthy and never breaks a promise? Who is eternal and unchanging? Besides God, who else? God's love for us is unconditional. Even when we fail Him, He never fails us. In fact, His very nature prevents Him from disappointing us! His love is also bottomless, and there is no “withdrawal limit.” Since we are created by God, He holds the blueprint of our being. No doctor knows how to heal and provide for our body, mind, and soul better than He does. Most importantly, God always puts our well-being first, even above His own. And because only God is eternal, only He can fulfill both our temporal and eternal needs!
If there were any person or product in this world that could offer such an extraordinary and transcendent guarantee, what else would there be to consider?
Therefore, we should not hold onto the misconception that God doesn’t want us to have “wealth” in this life. That is simply not true! It depends on what kind of wealth we seek.
God’s deepest desire is for us to have more, better, and the very best of all things! He has no hesitation in giving us a treasure that no one else on earth can give!
Reflection
Where is your time and energy currently being invested? What kind of benefit are you seeking?
Are your hopes placed in things, in people, or in God? Take a moment now to answer this question honestly and reflect on it.
After today’s reflection, do you better understand how deeply God cares for you and how much He longs to give you the very best? Please bring this into your prayer and pour out your heart to God.
Today’s Prayer
My dearest Abba Father, thank You for showing me how deeply I am loved, and how ignorant I have been! I have not examined how self-centered I am, how attached I am to earthly gains, and how ungrateful I’ve been. Even worse, I have not realized how blessed I am!
Why have I never seen the blessings You long to give me… never seen the love You want to pour out on me… never seen You…
I grieve over the blindness of my heart! I don’t even know when it started, but my heart seems to have hardened! There is no space, no flexibility… nothing can melt it…
Now I invite You into my inner room, awaken me, melt me, bring me back to life! Teach me to see that nothing and no one in this world can compare to You. There is no promise on earth that can give me the security You offer. Let me proclaim to the world: from this day on, You alone are my hope and my love!
--------------------
Fundraising Appeal
Thank you for participating in this 40-day Lenten spiritual journey. We hope you have been inspired and have benefitted from it! For the spiritual benefit of all of you, Fountain of Love and Life devotes a lot of time and effort in producing various spiritual projects every year, and all our ministries are sustained by the generous donations of our supporters. We hope you will support us with prayers and donations. Please make an online donation using the button at the top of the website Lent.FLL.cc. Thank you very much for your support. God bless!
The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Arnold Chan, Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
"3 MINUTES RELAXATION MUSIC | 4K Scenic View of Tuscany" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Sea of Memory” by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria
★ Support this podcast ★I hope yesterday’s reflection helps everyone realize that the greatest crisis in the world is not an economic crisis, not an environmental crisis, not a political crisis, nor even a crisis of war, it is a crisis of faith, and more importantly, a crisis of hope.
The greatest pillar of this world is the Truth that Christ left behind. This Truth is rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the example He set for us, in other words, the spirit of Christ. This Truth has been passed down to this day through the Church established by Christ, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The role of the Church is to strengthen the faith of Christians, and to pass on the spirit of Christ and His promises to us from generation to generation.
Faith is a relationship, a relationship between human beings and God. “Faith” is when we entrust ourselves to God. And “hope” is when we extend this trust from now into the future, until we are reunited with God in Heaven. Therefore, without “faith”, there is no “hope”. “Hope” grows through the inheritance of “faith”, under the nurturing and protection of the Church. And “hope”, in turn, carries the responsibility of sustaining “faith”.
Our relationship with the Lord is the source of both faith and hope — and the foundation of everything. When the Church — the cradle of faith and hope — is attacked and harmed, the spiritual pillar of the entire world, the Christ-like spirit that Jesus spread to the world, will be severely weakened, and it becomes a big question whether God’s salvation can be passed on.
Although “salvation” is an unconditional gift from God, God will never force us to accept it, therefore, we must actively respond to and accept it. Without belief or the virtue of faith, without a relationship with God and without a concept of eternal life, people will have no desire or yearning for the things of Heaven. They won’t long for eternal life or to be with God forever. When that longing is lost, so too is the desire for “salvation”, and this precious gift will gradually be lost. Isn’t this exactly what the devil wants most?
That is why the mission of Christians is so important, because we each bear the responsibility of preserving, nurturing, and passing on “faith” and “hope”. Just imagine, when our faith grows weak, and our hope is extinguished, the light of the world will go out with it. The sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ would then be in vain! Christians not only have the responsibility to preserve and strengthen their own “faith” and “hope”, but also to pass this light of “faith” and “hope” on to those around them.
If we don’t take action, if we continue to naively believe that everything is fine and will work itself out, then by the time we realize the light of “faith” and “hope” has extinguished, it will be too late to save it.
But we cannot pass on what we do not ourselves possess. If we have no relationship with the Lord, if we have no trust in Him or longing for Him, how can we introduce these treasures to others? If we do not know our own destination, how can we lead others there? If there is no light of Christ within us, how can we pass this light on to others, or to the world?
That is why having a correct understanding of God and a real relationship with Him is so important! This is why we must make this the top priority in the meaning and purpose of our lives! For this reason, during this retreat, we have spent a lot of time trying to understand the nature and perspective of God, as well as His ways. Only when we have a correct view of God, ourselves, and the world, can we begin to build God’s Kingdom here on earth.
Reflection
Do you believe that the Truth of God and the spirit of Christ play a pivotal role in the future and destiny of humanity? I invite you now to reflect on this question carefully.
Do you place enough importance on your own faith and hope? Have you invested enough time in nurturing these two important virtues?
Do you feel you have a responsibility to spread faith and hope? Do you feel a sense of urgency that leads you to take action?
Today’s Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, today I realize how ignorant I have been. I thought everything was fine, normal, and to be taken for granted. I did not recognize the seriousness of the problems, nor did I realize how important my mission was. So I never gave it much thought, nor did I truly explore the significance of faith in my life. Because of that, I have neglected my relationship with You.
Thank You for reminding me through today’s reflection. You have made me deeply aware that both I and this world are facing a serious crisis of faith and hope. I don’t want to be someone who is “faithless” and “hopeless”, and even more so, I don’t want to hurt You by remaining in that state.
From today onward, I long to know You more, and to love You more. Please ignite within me the light of faith and hope, and strengthen my sense of responsibility, so that I may carry out the mission of spreading Your love, guiding more people to accept Your true light and salvation.
--------------------
Fundraising Appeal
Thank you for participating in this 40-day Lenten spiritual journey. We hope you have been inspired and have benefitted from it! For the spiritual benefit of all of you, Fountain of Love and Life devotes a lot of time and effort in producing various spiritual projects every year, and all our ministries are sustained by the generous donations of our supporters. We hope you will support us with prayers and donations. Please make an online donation using the button at the top of the website Lent.FLL.cc. Thank you very much for your support. God bless!
The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Arnold Chan, Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
"3 MINUTES RELAXATION MUSIC | 4K Scenic View of Tuscany" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Sea of Memory” by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria
★ Support this podcast ★Two days ago, we talked about the difference between “optimism” and “worldly hope”, and we took it a step further by analyzing the difference between “worldly hope” and the Christian virtue of hope.
When we are young, with fewer burdens and pressures in life, facing life with an optimistic attitude is usually enough. But as we grow older and take on more responsibilities and heavier burdens, we need hope to give us the strength to face life positively. When we encounter life’s adversities, or when our bodies begin to weaken but our burdens don’t lighten, we can no longer rely on our own strength alone. At such times, it is the virtue of hope that reveals its greatest power. You could say that optimism depends purely on favourable external conditions, hope relies on our own strength, and the theological virtue of hope relies on the power of God.
Let’s also look at this from the perspective of the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and love. Although faith is the foundation for both hope and love, and love is the greatest of the three, in our daily lives, especially in times of adversity and suffering, when we’re gritting our teeth to endure, hope becomes the most crucial. When hope is extinguished, no matter how strong our faith may be, our love will also begin to grow cold. It’s not an exaggeration to say that hope propels faith and love forward. Hope links faith and love, energizes faith, and brings it to life through acts of love.
When we understand what the virtue of hope truly is, we can begin to expose the devil’s schemes. Over the past few decades, the devil has relentlessly attacked Christianity, putting our faith to a severe test. As a result, our faith has become difficult to pass on to the next generation, and even among mature believers, the fire of faith has started to burn low. Without a solid foundation of faith, both hope and love cannot grow in a healthy way.
The devil’s next strategy is to go after our already shaky foundation of hope, launching an all-out offensive. Our enemy attacks from many fronts. For example, it promotes individualism to overturn the teachings and truth of Christ, undermines our trust in God, and as a result, weakens the mutual trust between people and between nations. It then leads to all kinds of conflicts and divisions, plunging the world into chaos and even causing wars to destroy human hope, bringing depression, anxiety and even despair to individuals and society...In a world descending into such darkness, there’s no room left for love to grow or show its power.
Therefore, we have good reason to believe that if we lose the fortress of hope, even if the world doesn’t erupt into a world war, mankind will eventually destroy itself. That’s why the Church, in this Jubilee Year, is calling us to be “Pilgrims of Hope”, a call that turns out to carry deep meaning and is prophetic!
Therefore, we also have reason to believe that the devil’s ultimate goal is to attack God by attacking humanity in this faithless age. The devil is pulling out all the stops in this dark era and in the end times. It wants us to believe that Christian hope is unimportant, and it tries to replace it with mere optimism or worldly hopes, diluting the true spirit of the theological virtue of hope.
So, if we have only a superficial understanding of the virtue of hope, or if we don’t think it’s necessary to strengthen our own hope, then we will fall into the devil’s trap. Not only are we blindly walking into its snare, but we’re also unknowingly “joining” its army and becoming promoters of despair rather than bearers of hope.
Reflection
Do you have a clear understanding of the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love, and how they relate to each other? Has today’s reflection helped deepen your understanding?
Do you believe your faith is built on a solid foundation? Do you have many doubts or questions about your faith or about the God you believe in? Has today’s reflection brought you any new awareness?
Has your understanding of the virtue of hope been superficial? Take a moment of silence to examine the importance of hope in your life and how the Holy Spirit may be inviting you to deepen it.
Today’s Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for once again giving me the opportunity to reflect on my faith, especially on the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and love.
Today I realize that I had thought my faith was already strong, but it turned out that it was because I did not seriously and deeply reflect on my faith, or I was deceived by the devil and thought that there was nothing wrong with me and that I was pretty good.
Thank You for bringing me into my own wilderness today, where I can face myself honestly, and more importantly, face You, to reposition my life and faith, to re-examine and strengthen my faith and hope. This helps me to redefine the purpose of my life and become a pilgrim of hope with direction.
Abba Father, today I come before You with a repentant heart, confessing my lack of seriousness toward my faith and toward You. Please forgive me!
Please help my unbelief and strengthen my hope in You, so I won’t be led astray by the enemy and drift away from You. Please open my eyes once again so that in the days to come, I may remain steadfast in You and renew my love for You each day.
--------------------
Fundraising Appeal
Thank you for participating in this 40-day Lenten spiritual journey. We hope you have been inspired and have benefitted from it! For the spiritual benefit of all of you, Fountain of Love and Life devotes a lot of time and effort in producing various spiritual projects every year, and all our ministries are sustained by the generous donations of our supporters. We hope you will support us with prayers and donations. Please make an online donation using the button at the top of the website Lent.FLL.cc. Thank you very much for your support. God bless!
The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Arnold Chan, Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
"3 MINUTES RELAXATION MUSIC | 4K Scenic View of Tuscany" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Sea of Memory” by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria
During yesterday’s retreat, we mentioned that the world often defines “hope” as a desire for things that can be attained in this life — for example: success, health, or a comfortable life. As Christians, however, we look forward to the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life as our true happiness. The former is a fleeting kind of happiness, while the latter is eternal. But are these two in conflict? Can they coexist?
To explore this question, we must first understand the meaning of life from God’s perspective. As Christians, the three main purposes of our earthly life are to know God, to love God, and to serve God. The ultimate goal is to enjoy eternal happiness with Him in heaven.
First, to know God means to understand His nature and His plan for humanity. This is essential for us to live a meaningful life. Just like in human relationships, knowing someone is the foundation of building a relationship. Through knowing someone, we learn how to love them better. The same applies to our relationship with God. All relationships require mutual love, and since we know God loves us unconditionally and deeply, He desires that we love Him with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our will. This is the foundation of building an eternal and intimate mutual relationship. Finally, the natural expression of love is serving one another, and God asks us to serve Him by serving the least of our brothers and sisters. These three aspects form the meaning and foundation of our life.
God hopes that, through the journey of life, we can achieve two main goals. The first is personal sanctification, which comes not only through loving actions but also through prayer, the sacraments, and living a virtuous life.
The second is our responsibility to evangelize, to spread God's love and salvation. To achieve both personal holiness and the mission of evangelization, God calls each of us individually and grants us unique spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit, so we may participate in the work of the Mystical Body of Christ and fulfill God’s plan of salvation. On this level, all Christians are called to work together in building God’s Kingdom on earth, that is, to establish the Kingdom of God on earth by promoting justice, peace and love according to the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. This means making heaven present on earth, because God longs for each one of us, whom He loves, to taste the truth, goodness, and beauty of Heaven, and to experience the sweetness of His presence with us here on earth. This is the happiness He desires for us humans to experience in our lives.
Therefore, this virtue of hope we cultivate not only encourages us to pursue eternal joy but also allows us to experience happiness and joy in our present lives. Earthly and eternal happiness can coexist, and the key lies in how we define true happiness. Building the Kingdom of Heaven during our earthly pilgrimage should be our lifelong mission!
Thus, finding hope in God’s Kingdom carries two important meanings: First, we must fulfill our responsibility to build the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Second, through our virtue of hope, we find in the Kingdom of God the source of hope, so that even amid trials, we have enough motivation to keep going.
When we embrace this mindset and determination to fulfill the mission God has entrusted to us, our earthly lives become complete, and we will one day enjoy eternal happiness with God in heaven!
Reflection
Have you taken knowing God, loving God, and serving God as the meaning and goal of your life on earth? How much of your time is devoted to these goals?
Are you consciously living out your responsibility to pursue holiness and actively evangelize? In which area is the Holy Spirit inviting you to grow stronger?
How well do you understand the concept of the Kingdom of God? Are you actively taking up your responsibility to build it here on earth?
Today’s Prayer
Merciful Abba Father, thank You for awakening me from my busy life today, and giving me the opportunity to re-examine the meaning and direction of my life. The burdens and worries of life have weighed me down, making it hard for me to see the road ahead and hard to see You… It leaves me feeling uncomfortable and not free.
Thank You for helping me focus again on life’s ultimate goal, and for helping me recognize that the most important thing in life is my relationship with You. Please help me be more determined and persevering in knowing You, loving You, and serving You.
Help me to seek Your holy will each day. May I build Your Kingdom on earth through building my relationship with You, serving the least of my brothers and sisters, and spreading the Good News.
Abba Father, please help me to sanctify myself through these, so that I can become more like You day by day. Help me to see Your presence and Your goodness even in the midst of hardship.
--------------------
Fundraising Appeal
Thank you for participating in this 40-day Lenten spiritual journey. We hope you have been inspired and have benefitted from it! For the spiritual benefit of all of you, Fountain of Love and Life devotes a lot of time and effort in producing various spiritual projects every year, and all our ministries are sustained by the generous donations of our supporters. We hope you will support us with prayers and donations. Please make an online donation using the button at the top of the website Lent.FLL.cc. Thank you very much for your support. God bless!
The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Arnold Chan, Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
"3 MINUTES RELAXATION MUSIC | 4K Scenic View of Tuscany" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Sea of Memory” by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria
★ Support this podcast ★In his message for the 38th World Youth Day, Pope Francis described the virtue of hope in this way:
“Christian hope is no facile optimism, no placebo for the credulous: it is the certainty, rooted in love and faith, that God never abandons us and remains faithful to his promise: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4).
In daily life, we often hear people use the words "hope" or "optimism" in conversation. But what is the difference between the two? And how is Christian hope, that is, hope as a virtue, different from the everyday concept of "hope"?
Many people tend to confuse hope with optimism, but they are not the same. The main difference is that optimism is a general expectation of positive outcomes, often based on favourable conditions or outlooks. Hope, on the other hand, inspires action and carries the power to make things better. Optimism is a passive state of mind, while hope motivates us to act and to set goals.
The world often defines "hope" as the desire for something attainable in this life, such as success, health, or a comfortable lifestyle. But Christian hope, the theological virtue, goes far beyond earthly desires. It centers on the reality of heaven and eternal life with God. Even though the things of this world are temporary and imperfect, our ultimate fulfillment is found in eternal union with God.
Pope Francis continued in his message:
Christian hope is not a denial of sorrow and death; it is the celebration of the love of the risen Christ, who is always at our side, even when he seems far from us. “Christ himself is our great light of hope and our guide in the night, because he is ‘the bright morning star’” (Christus Vivit, 33).
Christian hope is not based on wishful thinking, but on the very nature of God, who is faithful, merciful, and almighty. As Scripture reminds us in Numbers 23:19: “God is not a human being, that he should lie, or a mortal, that he should change his mind. Has he promised, and will he not do it? Has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” Because of God’s nature, we can trust His promises, even in situations that seem impossible. This trust is the foundation of Christian hope.
As Christians, our hope is ultimately directed toward heaven. We believe that this earthly life is a pilgrimage, and our true home is in heaven, with our Father. This kind of hope shapes our worldview, helping us to look beyond the present and focus on eternity. As it says in Colossians 3:2: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Our anchor of hope is Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, He opened the way to heaven for us. Our hope rests on His sacrifice and the promise of eternal life. This anchor holds us steady during the storms of life, because we know our eternal future is secure in the faithfulness of Jesus.
To be a Christian filled with hope does not mean to be blindly optimistic in all things, but to have a deep and unwavering trust in God's promises, to firmly believe in the reality of heaven, and to entrust our soul to Jesus Christ. This kind of hope transforms our lives, giving us strength, peace, and purpose as we journey toward our eternal home.
Reflection
Are you more of an optimist, or someone who is truly filled with hope? When facing adversity, do you respond passively, or take action with a positive mindset?
What is the foundation of your hope? Earthly things, or heavenly realities? Are you full of hope in general sense or full of the virtue of hope?
After today’s reflection, in what ways might your understanding of Christian hope need adjusting?
Today’s Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for once again revealing to me the true meaning of hope. I know that the worries and temptations of this world often turn my gaze toward earthly desires, making me forget that You are the true rock of my hope. It is through Your death and resurrection that the path to heaven has been opened for me.
Please strengthen my faith, so that my hope may also become more solid, anchored not in earthly treasures, but in the treasures of heaven. Teach me, Lord, and gently remind me to set my mind on things above, not on things that are on earth.
Lord Jesus, help me to recognize You as my light of hope in this life, and lead me through the darkness, step by step, into the light and ever closer to You.
--------------------
The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Arnold Chan, Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
"3 MINUTES RELAXATION MUSIC | 4K Scenic View of Tuscany" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Sea of Memory” by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria
★ Support this podcast ★I hope that yesterday’s reflection has helped you to revisit the promises Christ has made to us. Among the four main promises of Christ, most people may focus on or most long for the promises of “salvation” and “eternal life”, while the promises of “God is with us” and “the Holy Spirit” may receive less attention. Let us reflect more deeply on this.
Everyone has their own understanding and feelings about “eternal life” or “going to heaven.” Of course, no one has a concrete concept of it, but our impressions often revolve around a subjective desire, to eventually enjoy the joy of eternal life. This is likely one of the main reasons many people “believe in God”. Another is the hope of reuniting with loved ones in our heavenly home. However, the meaning of “eternal life” goes far beyond reunion with family or simply avoiding hell. At its core, it is the hope to be forever with God, who created us and loves us to the end.
Sadly, what we often pursue are only the benefits God gives us, not God Himself. Therefore, when it comes to Christ’s promises, we tend to focus on our own benefits rather than seeing from God’s perspective. Our eyes are more often fixed on the gifts we desire to receive, rather than on the Giver who gives them to us. When we centre our attention on what we want, we easily overlook the gift God has prepared for us. If our view of “heaven” and “hell” is limited to shallow concepts of reward and punishment, eternal happiness and eternal damnation, we miss the greatest gift God has prepared for us, which is God Himself! This gap in expectations will seriously affect how we live our present life and, in the end, influence our ultimate destiny.
So while we long for “eternal life”, we must not forget to focus our thoughts and efforts on how to make the most of our earthly pilgrimage and build a relationship with God, who has given Himself to us. The other two main promises of Christ, namely, "God is with us" and "the Holy Spirit" become crucial. These promises not only help us live this life well, but also realign our attitudes and expectations toward eternal life and our relationship with God. Let us begin by exploring the promise that “God is with us.”
Since our ultimate relationship is with God, we must begin building that intimate connection with Him here in this life. We need to learn and practice how to accompany God, fostering a habit of being with Him, and a willingness and desire to be accompanied by Him. This is something we need to adapt to, not only because we cannot see or touch God with our physical senses, but also because we are often reluctant to spend time with God. Another potential barrier is our unwillingness to let others, even God, enter into our space or challenge our sense of control. We fear that God’s presence may “disrupt” our plans, and this leads us, consciously or unconsciously, to avoid moments of solitude with Him. But we must know that God’s intervention is an intervention of grace. If we insist on taking control and refuse to let God into our comfort zone, the Holy Spirit cannot guide our lives, and we’ll be left navigating with our own flawed internal compass. This opens the door for the enemy to attack.
If we truly believe that God is almighty and deeply concerned with our greatest good, then we should not resist His presence in our lives. Rather, we should allow this loving God to be involved in every aspect of our lives and decisions, big and small. Let us not leave this poor and patient God waiting forever at the door, unable to share life’s joys and sorrows with us. Remember, when God enters our life, it is like the blessing Jesus gave to the newlyweds at the wedding in Cana!
The promise that “God is with us” is like the presence of heaven on earth. It allows us a foretaste of the infinite sweetness of being united with God in heaven, and stirs in us a deeper longing for eternal life.
Reflection
Does your understanding of heaven and hell remain limited to the concepts of reward and punishment, eternal happiness and eternal punishment? What insight or change has today’s reflection brought to you?
Can you recall a time in your life when you shut God out? Can you sense how God might have felt in those moments?
In prayer, feel God’s presence with you. With an open heart, listen to what He wants to say to you, and how He is inviting you.
Today’s Prayer
My Heavenly Father, I thank You for the opportunity You gave me today, which helped me realize how much my concepts of heaven and hell, and my understanding of eternal life and eternal punishment, still need to be refined. This reflection has made me aware that I was not fully focused on my relationship with You, but on my own benefit!
I feel deeply saddened and sorry for the hurt my selfish mindset has caused You. Abba Father, I am truly sorry!
I ask myself: Isn’t everything I have a gift from You? Aren’t You far more precious than anything I possess?
I am shocked by my self-centeredness and how it has led me to reject Your presence.
Thank You for showing me again in my prayer today that You desire to be with me forever. I wish my heart would be softened by Your love again, I am willing… and I desire Your presence and Your companionship. May I cherish every moment with You on this earthly journey!
--------------------
The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Arnold Chan, Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
"3 MINUTES RELAXATION MUSIC | 4K Scenic View of Tuscany" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Sea of Memory” by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria
★ Support this podcast ★Throughout our retreat, we have repeatedly emphasized that hope is built upon our trust in the promises of Christ. But what exactly do these promises represent? What do they mean to you personally? What comes to mind first when you hear about them?
Most of us may first think of eternal life or salvation… but let us explore these promises more deeply.
The promises of Christ can generally be categorized into four key aspects. The first is that He is with us. From the beginning of creation, from the Old Testament to the New Testament, God has always desired to be with humans He created. This longing of God was fully manifested in the life of Jesus. His coming fulfilled the words spoken by the prophet: "They shall name him Emmanuel, which means 'God is with us.'" (Matthew 1:23)
On the night before His Passion, Jesus, as the High Priest, prayed to the Father for the faithful: "As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us…” (John 17:21) Jesus continued: “I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am.…" (cf. John 17:20-26)
Before ascending to heaven, Jesus reaffirmed this promise to His disciples: "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)
This unceasing desire of the Father, to be with us every day and to be one with us, is clearly revealed in Jesus’ prayer to the Heavenly Father. But the core of this promise is not just about His presence among us, but that He assures us that He will provide everything we need, granting us grace and strength to fulfill the mission He has entrusted to us.
The second main promise of Christ is Salvation. This promise requires us to accept Jesus as our Saviour with a repentant heart, and to be reconciled with God through the cleansing of the Sacrament of Baptism, so that we can become the children of God.
The third main promise of Christ is the promise of eternal life. Once we have received God’s salvation, we are no longer under the power of sin and death. Jesus, as our Mediator, reunites us with the Father and allows us to partake in the divine life of the Holy Trinity. He shares with us the glory He received from the Father, so that we, as believers, may share in God’s eternal life through Jesus.
The fourth main promise of Christ is the promise of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our guide and protector, leading us to the Truth of Christ. As the Spirit of Truth, He not only watches over us but also grants us spiritual gifts that sanctify us and empower us to live a holy life, as well as to respond to the call of our Heavenly Father. Through this process, we will be transformed by the Holy Spirit and become more like Christ, restoring our original image as created by the Father.
Our understanding and trust in these promises of Christ become the source and the true foundation of our hope. By embracing them, we gain strength in our close relationship with God and will discover the purpose and direction of our lives.
Reflection
Do you truly believe in the promises of Christ? Do you believe in them deep within your heart, or do you believe it in your head, intellectually? Please share with God in prayer what you still have reservations about.
Do you long for the "Promises of Christ"? What do you most yearn for?
In your prayer, invite the Holy Spirit to enlighten you on how to embrace these promises of Christ in your life.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, I am grateful for the insights the Holy Spirit has given me today. I now understand that Your incarnation was not only to free me from the bondage of sin and eternal punishment, but also to bring me new hope, showing me that the Father’s plan for me is filled with promise and purpose, giving me a future with hope.
Thank You for Your promises! For being present in my life, for the gift of salvation and eternal life, for Your promise of sharing Your glory with me, and for the most precious gift, Your Holy Spirit. All of these reveal the depth of Your love for me in the most tender way.
I realize that You want to ensure that I have adequate protection and support during my pilgrimage on earth, and that I am protected from harm by my enemies. Today, I really felt it... I felt that You have held nothing back for my sake! You have poured out Your heart and love for me completely.
Lord Jesus, let me say to You once again: I love You!
--------------------
The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Arnold Chan, Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
"3 MINUTES RELAXATION MUSIC | 4K Scenic View of Tuscany" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Sea of Memory” by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria
★ Support this podcast ★There was a passage in the reflection from two days ago:
"God desires that this true love continue to be passed on through us. What is required is an unwavering hope, a hope that teaches us to be like Mother Mary, who does not question but simply believes, obeys, and follows, all the way to the foot of Christ’s Cross." This statement may cause discomfort, disagreement, or even rejection. Don’t ask anything, just believe, and even obey unto death. What kind of reasoning is this?
Why do we associate "hope" with the cross? Wasn’t crucifixion one of the cruelest punishments in the Roman Empire, used to execute criminals and suppress dissent? Wasn’t there great injustice and even wrongful convictions behind it?
Indeed, in human relationships, we often have a mindset of "speaking out against injustice." We strive to prevent unfairness, and when injustice occurs, we want to seek justice for the victims. This is a natural reaction, as we all have an innate sense of conscience. However, it is not God’s way.
We noticed that neither Jesus nor Mother Mary protested against the injustice that Jesus suffered. Instead, they silently accepted it, revealing that God’s perspective and actions differ from ours.
When feelings of unfairness take root in our hearts, they fuel our anger. This anger blinds us, allowing us to see only the surface of things, preventing us from handling unfair situations with a heart of mercy. When we are consumed by righteous anger, we act against people rather than addressing the issue itself. In the end, we resort to harming others to solve problems, falling into the devil’s trap!
We must understand that if we firmly believe in the promise of eternal life and trust that our God is just, then we will recognize that fairness is not determined by earthly outcomes. Instead, we will be willing to leave the final judgment to our Lord Jesus Christ. Conversely, if our short-sightedness drives us to fight for fairness in this world, we may fall into the devil’s trap. The devil seeks to rob us of our peace and hope in the pursuit of fairness, stealing away our merciful hearts.
Let us recall the parable of the prodigal son. The elder son, feeling his father was unfair, became estranged from both his father and younger brother. He sacrificed family harmony and unity, allowing himself to be consumed by anger and resentment. The devil thus successfully led the elder son away from his father.
In contrast, Jesus suffered the greatest evil in human history and was condemned in the most unjust trial before being executed. Yet, He first pleaded with the Father for those who killed Him:
"Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34) These were the first words Jesus spoke from the cross!
If God, out of love for us, was willing to give up His own right to justice, shouldn't we also learn from Jesus’ example on the cross to overcome the devil’s temptations?
Ultimately, what most often causes us to stumble in this world is not misfortune or suffering itself, but whether we perceive a situation as fair. The devil wants us to believe that God is unfair to us! Only by having true hope in the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life can we see through the devil’s deception and know that from an eternal perspective, God is the only one who is truly fair and trustworthy!
Reflection
Are you someone who pursues fairness in everything in life? Have you ever lost your inner peace due to anger over unfairness?
Do you think God is unfair? Do you trust that He holds the authority of final judgment and that He is absolutely fair?
Through today’s reflection, examine whether you have true hope. In what areas do you need to make adjustments?
Today's Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me the opportunity today to reflect on the question of fairness in life. You have helped untie some of the knots in my heart. I have been confused and angered by the unfairness in this world. Confusion makes me feel lost, anger makes me hard-hearted, and I feel disgust and hatred towards those who create unfairness!
But what surprised me even more today is realizing that my anger stems from doubting whether You are a fair God. I have even blamed You for the painful experiences in my life, thinking that You ignored me or treated me unfairly.
This makes me feel deeply ashamed. I am ashamed to stand before You. Please deliver me from this state. Do not let me drown in guilt or lack faith in You. Thank You for showing me Your loving face again! Please soften my heart and let Your merciful eyes restore my hope in You!
--------------------
The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Arnold Chan, Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
"3 MINUTES RELAXATION MUSIC | 4K Scenic View of Tuscany" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Sea of Memory” by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria
★ Support this podcast ★On the fourth day of our retreat, we mentioned that "Pilgrimage is a time of conversion and renewal. A pilgrimage signifies not just a journey but a purposeful movement toward a destination and a higher goal.”
If life becomes stagnant, it turns into a dead pool of water. It can no longer be called a journey, let alone a pilgrimage. Such a life is meaningless, and it would be in vain that Jesus died for us and did everything He has done for us.
Yesterday, we discussed that the true driving force that propels us forward in life is the virtue of hope. You may ask yourself, "Is that really true?"
Indeed it is easy to argue against this point because when life is smooth and trouble-free, we can move forward without needing much hope. Isn’t that so? But do not forget, although it is easy to move forward when things are going well, it is also easy to lose direction. In good times, we are more inclined to choose the broad and easy path rather than the narrow path.
On the other hand, when we experience adversity, facing trials and hardships, hope shows its power. The driving force that moves us forward does not come from ourselves but from the foundation behind hope, that is, the "anchor", the "cornerstone", which is the promise of Christ. Also, because when we are in adversity, our own abilities are limited, we learn not to rely on our strength but instead to rely on the power and grace of the Holy Spirit.
During difficult times, when we walk with God through our struggles, hope draws us closer to Him. It helps us focus more on the meaning of life, stay vigilant, find our sense of direction, and better understand the meaning of the narrow path. This makes it easier for us to choose the path that aligns with God's will.
This is the Way of the Cross! It is not a road of punishment from God but rather the ultimate proof of His boundless love for us! Because the one who suffers most is not us; it is God. The one who pays the greatest price is not us; it is Him! In the end, the Way of the Cross is not a path that God forces upon us, but one that He first chose for our sake! Mother Mary also chose it! The saints throughout history chose it as well! Now, it is time for us to make our choice, for no one else can make this choice for us, not even God!
Clearly, hope does not merely push us forward; it also helps us shift our focus from self-centeredness and self-reliance to centering our lives on Jesus Christ and depending on the help of the Holy Spirit. Hope helps us fix our gaze on the ultimate destination of our earthly pilgrimage, our heavenly home and eternal life. Because of this, hope can be seen as the navigation system of our life and the compass guiding us to our final destination.
If we can grasp the true meaning of hope, we will better understand why God chose the Way of the Cross as His expression of love for us.
Reflection
Please look back at your life. In which situations did you need hope the most to guide your way? What was the source of your hope in those moments?
During your darkest days, did hope shift your focus, drawing you closer to God and helping you rely more on His power and guidance? In prayer, reflect on how hope has brought you closer to Him.
After today’s reflection, do you better understand why God chose the Way of the Cross as His expression of love for you? Will you also choose this path in response to His love?
Today’s Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank You for today’s reflection, which has helped me better understand why You ask me to take up my cross and follow You. You first chose the way of the Cross, allowing me to recognize the true face of love, to understand what true love is, and to learn how to love.
Please help me not only to be willing to carry my cross but to embrace it, for it represents Your love for me. Through this newfound understanding, I want to learn to appreciate the Cross and cherish the opportunity to draw closer to You through it.
Help me, Lord, that when I face adversity again, I may steadfastly choose You and willingly accept the cross You have tailor-made for me. May I be sincerely grateful for Your companionship on the Way of the Cross.
--------------------
The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Arnold Chan, Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
"3 MINUTES RELAXATION MUSIC | 4K Scenic View of Tuscany" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Sea of Memory” by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria
★ Support this podcast ★Yesterday’s reflection affirmed an undeniable truth: even the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of the Son of God, was not exempt from experiencing suffering and trials in this world. She, too, had to carry her cross daily and follow Christ.
In fact, even Jesus Himself, being the Son of God, the most noble King, the revered rabbi, and the long-awaited Messiah, did not choose to save humanity with His power, glory, or majesty. Instead, He chose to stand before His creation, before His devoted followers, before His beloved apostles and women disciples, and even before His enemies, stripped of His garments, scourged to the brink of death, and ultimately crucified, naked and humiliated, for all to see. Imagine yourself in His place—what would that feel like?
The way of the Cross is the way of God's love. The Father chose it. Jesus chose it. Mother Mary chose it. The saints throughout history have chosen it. What about you?
This is the true face of love, completely unmasked, laid bare before us. God does not seek to prove to us how much He loves us; rather, He longs for us to experience His unreserved love. This love is what leads us back to Him. His ultimate purpose is not for Himself but for us, for our salvation and eternal happiness. This is a true loving relationship, and it cannot be conveyed in any other way. This is also the price of true love!
God desires that this true love continue to be passed on through us. What is required is an unwavering hope, a hope that teaches us to be like Mother Mary, who does not question but simply believes, obeys, and follows, all the way to the foot of Christ’s Cross.
In his message for the thirty-eighth World Youth Day, Pope Francis quoted a poem on hope by the French writer Charles Péguy. The beginning of the poem beautifully portrays the relationship between the three theological virtues, faith, hope, and love, as three sisters journeying together. Let us now savour the meaning of this poem:
“Hope, the little one, walks beside her two older sisters, practically unseen.
〔……〕
Yet she, the little one, drags everything along.
Because Faith only sees what exists.
And Charity only loves what exists.
But Hope loves what will be.
〔……〕
She is the one who makes the others keep walking;
She is the one who leads them on,
and makes them all walk together”
(The Portico of the Mystery of the Second Virtue, 1977, pp. 17-19).
This poem offers a delicate yet profound depiction of the interplay between the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. It makes us realize that although hope may seem small and insignificant in the eyes of many, it carries the crucial role of leading and driving both faith and love. This poem also invites us to re-examine our attitude towards and respect for hope, because by neglecting it, we will ultimately lose faith, love, and even our relationship with Jesus, who gave everything for us!
Reflection
Imagine yourself in the place of Jesus. Try to experience with empathy what He endured, bearing the Cross, suffering humiliation, and dying for us on the Cross while others watched and despised Him.
Can you recognize the importance of hope in the lives of Jesus and Mother Mary? Imagine if their foundation of hope had been shaken, what would have been the result?
After today’s reflection, do you have a deeper understanding of hope? How will you strengthen your hope?
Today’s Prayer
Dear Jesus, where do I even begin… I know that Your love for me is real, unconditional, and immeasurable. Through today’s meditation, I can feel more deeply what it was like for You to die on the Cross for me. I know why You chose to do this for me, but I still cannot comprehend how You could make such a decision. For us... for me... was it really worth it?
Please do not let me dwell on this question alone. Today, I understand even more that I must build and strengthen my hope. Let my hope drive my faith and love so that I will continue to accept the prompting and invitation of the Holy Spirit each day. No matter how many trials or hardships I face in life, I will not give up easily, nor will I lose hope or doubt Your promise to me.
Lord Jesus, help me learn from Mother Mary, to take up my cross each day and follow You. I promise You that, every day of my life, I will strive to be a better pilgrim of hope.
--------------------
The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Arnold Chan, Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
"3 MINUTES RELAXATION MUSIC | 4K Scenic View of Tuscany" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Sea of Memory” by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria
★ Support this podcast ★Yesterday, during our retreat, we mentioned that hope must be founded on God's promises. But does this mean that with this foundation, we are free from all challenges and temptations?
Let us once again reflect on the experience of the Blessed Virgin Mary. When Jesus was born, there was no room at the inn, and so St. Joseph had to accompany Mary to give birth to Jesus in a manger. Would Mary recall at that moment how the angel Gabriel had announced that God would give this child the throne of His ancestor, David? Would she question if it was a true promise? Would she even doubt whether this child was truly the Son of God?
And when Mary stood at the foot of the cross, would she have recalled God’s promise, that the Jesus whom she gave birth to would be great, be called the Son of the Most High, and that he would reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His Kingdom would have no end? Yet, before her eyes was her beloved Son, dying the most humiliating death. The revered rabbi was scorned by all; the throne that was promised to Him had turned into a cross on which He was executed; the eternal reign and the Saviour praised by all people turned into a death row criminal who was more disgraceful than a robber... And what about Mother Mary herself? As the Mother of God, she suddenly became the mother of a condemned man sentenced to death!
Would Mary have asked herself, "When I presented Jesus in the temple, didn’t Simeon proclaim that in Him, he had seen God’s salvation for all people? Was this prophecy true?"
This was the temptation that Our Lady faced. The devil wanted to challenge her faith, destroy her hope, and make her fall into despair, abandoning her trust in God. He wanted her to be so crushed by suffering that she would lose all her life’s merits. But the devil’s schemes failed!
In the end, Mary chose to trust in the faithful God. She held on to hope, convinced that God would fulfill His promise, and she firmly believed in her Son’s words, that He would rise again on the third day! The foundation of her hope remained unshaken, and instead of being defeated, she defeated the devil by overcoming its temptations.
This is why Pope Francis, praised Mary’s hope in his message for the 38th World Youth Day:
“That was the hope of the Virgin Mary, who remained steadfast beneath the cross of Jesus, certain that the “good outcome” was near. Mary is the woman of hope, the Mother of hope. On Calvary, “hoping against hope” (cf. Rom 4:18), she never wavered in her certainty of the resurrection that her Son had proclaimed. Our Lady filled the silence of Holy Saturday with loving and hope-filled expectation, and inspired in the disciples the certainty that Jesus would conquer death and that evil would not be the last word. 〔……〕 Let us entrust our lives entirely to Mary, Mother of Hope. She teaches us how to carry Jesus, our joy and hope, within our hearts and to share him with others.”
Jesus, who is faithful to His promises, did not disappoint Mother Mary. He conquered death and rose on the third day. Likewise, Mary did not disappoint God. Her faith and hope endured, even though, as Simeon had prophesied, a sword pierced her soul. She bore the pain and remained with Jesus until His last breath. In this silent exchange between God and Mary, love and hope prevailed.
Reflection
If you were in Mother Mary’s place, how would you feel when Jesus, your beloved Son, was dying on the cross?
Do you think it was unfair for God to let Mother Mary endure such trials? Was the burden He has given to Our Lady too heavy?
In your own life, do you ever feel that choosing God's path comes with overwhelming challenges and pressure? Take a moment of silence and learn from Mother Mary.
Today's Prayer
Heavenly Father, as I meditate on the challenges Mother Mary faced, I come to understand more deeply the “untold” loneliness and suffering she endured as the Mother of the Son of God. Her pain at the foot of the cross, witnessing her Son’s humiliation and agony, must have been more excruciating than a sword piercing her heart. And I realized, this suffering was caused by my sins...
Thank You for redeeming me from my sins. Please save me from despair so that my hope will not be destroyed by the enemy.
Help me learn from Mother Mary, to always have unwavering faith in You, and to anchor my hope in Your promises. I promise you that I will be a witness of hope and ignite the hope you have given me in my brothers and sisters around me.
Mother of Hope, pray for us!
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The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Arnold Chan, Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
"3 MINUTES RELAXATION MUSIC | 4K Scenic View of Tuscany" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Sea of Memory” by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria
★ Support this podcast ★As we begin today's retreat, let us revisit the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1817) regarding the definition of "hope": "Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life as our happiness"
The "happiness" mentioned here can also be understood as the things we long for. Therefore, the intensity of our desire for the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life is directly related to whether we truly possess the virtue of hope.
The Catechism further explains “hope” as follows: “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.” This explanation clearly shows us that there are two essential conditions for having "hope"! We must build this theological virtue on these two "foundations"!
The first is that our hope should not be placed in anything else but in the promises of Christ. We reflected on this in yesterday's retreat. Our hope should not be built on human assurances or worldly guarantees, no matter how much they may satisfy our earthly needs. For example, patients with critical illnesses should not place all their hope solely in medical advancements. Likewise, people in a troubled society should not solely rely on a new government to resolve all social problems, and so on. These are not the true source of our hope. Instead, the promise of Christ is as indispensable to us as an "anchor" to a ship or a "cornerstone" to a building.
The second necessary condition is that we must not rely on our own strength but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit. We see this virtue exemplified in the Blessed Virgin Mary. When the Angel Gabriel announced God's plan to her, she asked: "How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel responded: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God."
You can imagine, with the limited wisdom of human beings, how could Mary fully comprehend this profound revelation? Therefore, we can infer that her faith didn’t equate to full understanding, but instead, it showed her trust in God and the Holy Spirit. This shows that she did not rely on her limited human understanding to comprehend God’s mysterious plan for her. Therefore, Mary did not argue with the angel, but responded to God's invitation readily with humility and obedience. She also didn’t use her own abilities or methods to resolve the crisis of unwed pregnancy, which was considered a mortal sin punishable by death at the time. Instead, she followed the prompting of the Holy Spirit and went to visit Elizabeth. Notice that the Holy Spirit did not abandon Mary to face difficulties alone. Rather, God sent an angel to appear to Joseph in a dream and revealed the truth behind the events, paving the way for Mary to fulfill God's plan for her.
Mary’s humility and trust in God enabled her to confidently and boldly obey God’s will and fulfill God’s plan for her. The example of the Virgin Mary perfectly exemplifies the essence of hope, as expressed in the Book of Hebrews, chapter 10, verse 23, which was quoted by the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23) (cf. CCC 1817)
Reflection
Do you rely on your human wisdom to understand God’s invitation and what is happening to you before responding with faith?
When you cannot see the way forward, do you hesitate or refuse to take the next step? Can you learn the spirit of trust and surrender from Our Lady?
Among the virtues of humility, trust, and obedience, which do you still need to cultivate in order to grow in the virtue of hope?
Today's Prayer
Abba Father, today, I recognized my attachments. I am attached to understanding why things happen in my life, and I insist on having things done my way. I realize that there were many things I wanted to control, but there were very few things I was willing to surrender to You.
Thank You for allowing me to know myself better today, to recognize my weaknesses, my attachments, and my lack of trust in You. This realization humbles me! How could I treat You this way, despite all that You have done for me?
Please grant me a repentant heart, willing to humbly admit my mistakes and acknowledge my limitations. Help me to rely not on my own wisdom and ability, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit. Please accept my contrite heart, and teach me to follow Your holy will.
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The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Arnold Chan, Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
"3 MINUTES RELAXATION MUSIC | 4K Scenic View of Tuscany" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Sea of Memory” by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria
★ Support this podcast ★What is the true source of hope? This should be the ultimate question, not only for this retreat but for our entire life.
If this source is only temporary, it certainly cannot be considered the true source of our hope. However, since only God is self-existent and eternal, the true source of hope must be Him.
But if this God were not all-good or did not care for our well-being, we could not place our hope in Him. Fortunately, our God is not only omnipotent, all-knowing, and all-good, but He is also a God who is willing to give Himself completely for us. In fact, for our sake, there is nothing He would not do, even sacrificing Himself so that we may become His adopted sons and daughters and inherit the eternal joy He has prepared for us since the beginning of creation!
This should have been a perfect scenario and should have given us perfect hope. However, because we do not know our God, or we have misunderstood His intentions, we fail to attain this perfect hope!
First, we have hope because we believe that some of our deepest desires can eventually be fulfilled. If our ultimate hope is to attain "the Kingdom of Heaven" and "eternal life" (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church 1817), then we must first ask whether our God is a trustworthy and faithful God who will grant us the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life. The historical evidence of God's faithfulness, such as His fulfillment of promises to Noah and Abraham, and the Israelites' eventual entry into the Promised Land under Moses' leadership, demonstrates that this God, who acts in human history, is reliable.
Equally important is how we personally experience God's faithfulness. Only then can we internalize our hope in our personal Saviour, our God, because the foundation of hope is “trust”. It is this unshakable trust that enabled Mary to firmly believe that what God had spoken to her would be fulfilled (cf. Luke 1:45). This was the source of Mary's hope! It explains why she had the strength to face the challenges before her, as well as the determination and faith to continue responding to the prompt of the Holy Spirit and move forward.
In our personal experiences and interactions with God, whether we can witness His faithfulness becomes the key to building this "trust." With “trust” as the foundation of our relationship with God, we have the opportunity to establish a real and tangible tacit understanding with Him.
Once we have this trust and tacit understanding with God, nothing in life can hinder our confidence as we journey through this earthly pilgrimage. Nor can anything block our mutual trust with God!
With this, we can more confidently believe in all the promises God has made to us in the Scripture and in prayer, including the promise He made to us on the first day of this retreat, through the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah, chapter 29, verse 11:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans for peace and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)
Reflection
What is the source of your hope? Where do you seek your hope?
Do you see God as reliable and faithful? What criteria do you use to determine this?
Do you desire to build a relationship of mutual trust with God? How much do you trust Him?
Today’s Prayer
My dear Father in heaven, thank You for allowing me to reflect on the true source of hope in my life today. I admit that I have not given this question much thought! Perhaps that is why I often lack the virtue of hope.
When I ask myself how much I trust You, I do not have a satisfactory answer. I realize that part of the reason is that my trust in You is built on an unstable foundation. It is a relationship shaped by what I heard from others rather than a genuine and intimate personal relationship with You.
Abba Father, please help me to take You more seriously, to be more willing to spend time communicating with You, and to be more attentive to all that You do in my life and to the words that You speak to me. May I come to know You as my true personal Saviour and place my ultimate hope in You...
--------------------
The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Arnold Chan, Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
"3 MINUTES RELAXATION MUSIC | 4K Scenic View of Tuscany" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Sea of Memory” by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria
★ Support this podcast ★The greatest characteristic of being wholly attuned to God’s will, besides being able to respond promptly and positively to His call, is to take immediate action accordingly.
According to the Gospel of Luke, after Mary accepted God’s invitation to become the mother of Jesus, the angel left her. Upon learning from the angel Gabriel that her elderly relative, Elizabeth, had conceived a son, Mary set out in haste to the hill country to visit Elizabeth in those days (cf. Luke 1:39-56). This action of Mary was quite unusual because her primary concern should have been the difficult situation she herself was facing, rather than the needs of others.
Mary’s action reflects that she has an extraordinary power, which stemmed from a supernatural peace and faith. Her faith was rooted in the firm belief that God is faithful and would surely help her face and overcome the challenges ahead, and arrange everything for her. Therefore, Our Lady was full of confidence and completely trusted in the plans that the Holy Spirit had for her. Because of this deep trust, Mary could feel at ease to accompany and assist Elizabeth for three months before returning home.
From this, we can see that Mary truly believed in what the angel Gabriel had told her: “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37) She also firmly believed that the Heavenly Father would keep His promises and would not let her bear the responsibility of being the mother of Jesus, the Son of God, all by herself. This extraordinary freedom enabled Mary not only to calmly accept God’s astonishing invitation but also to joyfully follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit to visit and serve her relative, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was deeply moved by Mary’s visit. Filled with the Holy Spirit, she exclaimed in a loud cry: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.” (Luke 1:42-44)
Without the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth would not have known that Mary was pregnant, let alone that the child she was carrying was the Son of God! Through Elizabeth, the Holy Spirit not only affirmed that Mary’s acceptance of God’s invitation to be the mother of Jesus was a blessing, but also praised Mary for her unwavering faith in God.
Thus, Elizabeth concluded with these words:
“Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord!” (Luke 1:45)
In this encounter between Mary and Elizabeth, we witnessed how Mary’s communion with God freed her from fear and prompted her to act immediately in response to the Holy Spirit’s prompting to visit Elizabeth. We also see how God continued to accompany and encourage Mary through Elizabeth after the angel had left her.
The intimate relationship between Mary and God is once again fully revealed in her interaction with Elizabeth.
Reflection
Do you have the inner freedom of Our Lady to respond to God’s call and take action promptly?
Please reflect on your relationship with God. Do you have the same faith in the Heavenly Father as Mary did? Do you trust in the work of the Holy Spirit in your life?
Do you have faith that what God has spoken to you will be fulfilled? Now, I invite you to share your feelings and expectations with God in prayer.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Abba Father, as I meditate on the intimate relationship between You and Mother Mary, I am not only moved but also deeply yearn to experience the same closeness with You. I firmly believe that You desire this relationship with me even more than I do.
In the past, I did not dare to hope that I could be so close to You. But today’s reflection has given me confidence because I realize that Your trust in me is not based on my merits or abilities but because of Your unconditional love and trust in me.
I now call upon the Holy Spirit to come into my heart, to teach me to pray and to confidently call You “Abba Father”, and to strengthen my faith, so that I will have an unshakable belief that all You have spoken and promised to me will come true!
--------------------
The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Arnold Chan, Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
"3 MINUTES RELAXATION MUSIC | 4K Scenic View of Tuscany" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Sea of Memory” by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria
★ Support this podcast ★