BLOGGING TOWARD SUNDAY…

In his weekly e-pistle, our new Bishop, Larry Goodpaster, wrote the following, which touched me deeply, and which I am happy to pass on to you:

Almost thirty years ago I was in the midst of doing my doctoral work. A major part of my research and reflection grew out of the work of Jurgen Moltmann. I was significantly influenced by his book A Theology of Hope, and drew particular insights from The Passion for Life. I have found myself returning to his observations about hope often in the course of my ministry, but particularly in the last few months as we have endured one crisis after another. In my book* that was published last year I offered a lengthy quotation from Miroslav Volf concerning Moltmann’s influence. Let me repeat only a portion of it here: “one of Moltmann’s lasting contributions … was to insist that hope, unlike optimism, is independent of people’s circumstances. Hope is not based on the possibilities of the situation and on correct extrapolation about the future. Hope is grounded in the faithfulness of God and therefore on the effectiveness of God’s promise.”
That’s it! As we begin this new year with all the uncertainty and anxiety that abounds, we find our hope in God’s love, mercy and grace and in the unique revelation of God in Jesus Christ. My prayer is that 2009 will be a hope-filled year for all of us. Above all, my prayer is that we will find our way forward by staying focused on the One who is light, peace, and joy for the world.

Hopefully,
Bishop Goodpaster

Filed under: Blogging Toward Sunday