During this Lenten Season, the focus is the infinite mercy and compassion of God. This is our hope because our During this Lenten Season, the focus is the infinite mercy and compassion of God. This is our hope because our Christian hope is not empty hope but confident hope. Our Christian hope is sure hope because our God is a faithful God. He is our Father and we are His children. In the Book of Exodus (3:1-15), it is God who takes the first initiative to reveal Himself to Moses calling him to rescue His people from slavery in Egypt. God does not abandon His people. He never gives up on us. He sees our misery, pain and suffering. He told Moses, “I heard the cry of my people!” He is Emmanuel, God is with us. He reveals His name to Moses, “I am who am!” I am the One who is present andwill be present with My people. Moses was amazed because he saw the burning bush but was not consumed. It is because when God comes to us, we are enhanced and He makes us beautiful inside and outside. He restores our original integrity, created in His likeness and image. Our God is a God of the living not of the dead. He is not our competitor and rival. He wants the best for us because we are His children inviting us to make His love shine in our lives. We are His partners, collaborators and conduits of His grace into the world. The parable of the barren fig tree (Luke 13:1-9) illustrates the patience and love of God for us. Jesus is the gardener who intercedes for us. He restores the garden of paradise and He is the one cultivating, nourishing and sustaining our lives. He is the true vine, the source of fruitfulness and life. We are the branches and called to bear fruits that will last. This is good news because our judgment takes place under the watchful eyes of a Redeemer whose purpose is to save rather than to condemn. Lenten season is a season of hope giving us a privileged time to fertilize our tree and see how it can be more fruitful. Christian hope is not empty hope but confident hope. Our Christian hope is sure hope because our God is a faithful God. He is our Father and we are His children. In the Book of Exodus (3:1-15), it is God who takes the first initiative to reveal Himself to Moses calling him to rescue His people from slavery in Egypt. God does not abandon His people. He never gives up on us. He sees our misery, pain and suffering. He told Moses, “I heard the cry of my people!” He is Emmanuel, God is with us. He reveals His name to Moses, “I am who am!” I am the One who is present and will be present with My people. Moses was amazed because he saw the burning bush but was not consumed. It is because when God comes to us, we are enhanced and He makes us beautiful inside and outside. He restores our original integrity, created in His likeness and image. Our God is a God of the living not of the dead. He is not our competitor and rival. He wants the best for us because we are His children inviting us to make His love shine in our lives. We are His partners, collaborators and conduits of His grace into the world. The parable of the barren fig tree (Luke 13:1-9) illustrates the patience and love of God for us. Jesus is the gardener who intercedes for us. He restores the garden of paradise and He is the one cultivating, nourishing and sustaining our lives. He is the true vine, the source of fruitfulness and life. We are the branches and called to bear fruits that will last. This is good news because our judgment takes place under the watchful eyes of a Redeemer whose purpose is to save rather than to condemn. Lenten season is a season of hope giving us a privileged time to fertilize our tree and see how it can be more fruitful.
CHRISTIAN HOPE
