Session 1: Why we can have hope

The title of Pope Francis’s document means “Hope Does Not Disappoint.”  It’s easy to have hope when things are going well.  But what about in the hard times?  In this session, Pope Francis explores what hope is, where it comes from, and why we can have it.  The Christian life flourishes when it is grounded in hope.  Pope Francis draws on the words of the Apostle Paul to remind us why hope is possible even in the hard times, how even suffering can lead us to hope.

Our study guide questions will help us explore how God’s love supports our hope and how Jesus Christ stands at the epicenter of God’s active love for the world.  Jesus Christ is the foremost reason why we can have hope and bring hope to our world.

Read paragraphs 1-4 in preparation for this session.

You can use the links next to each heading to jump to that part of Pope Francis’s document.

Paragraph 1 (the Jubilee is an opportunity for hope) 🔗 

What does “hope” mean to you?  How would you describe it?

In the second part[1] of paragraph 1, Pope Francis says that “God’s word helps us find reasons” for hope.  Is there a particular passage from the Bible that has especially inspired or helped you find hope?  If so, how does that passage speak to you?

Suggested Activity: 

• Take a few minutes to contemplate what life feels like to someone who is unemployed, dealing with a chronic illness, facing the fear of violence due to their background or heritage, discouraged about the future, etc.  Try to feel their pain.  Then consider whether there is something you could do for someone such as this – perhaps directly for someone you know, or by getting involved in a ministry in your parish or community (perhaps through Catholic Charities in your diocese or through another organization).

(Section 1) A word of hope

In this section, Pope Francis explores the biblical basis for the hope we have in God.

Paragraph 2 (why we can have hope) 🔗 

Read Romans 5:1-2,5 (we will look at verses 3 and 4 in Paragraph 4 later in this session)

What does Paul tell us in Romans 5:1-2 that allows him to say that we have hope?

In verse 5, Paul says that hope does not disappoint us.  Why?  How would you explain verse 5 in your own words?

How have you experienced the love of God poured into your heart?

How does knowing that God loves you so much allow you to show greater love to others?

Paragraph 3 (hope is born of love) 🔗 

In paragraph 3, why does Pope Francis say, “Hope is born of love”?  How does Romans 5:5 help to explain this statement?

Note: In paragraph 3, the Scripture cited as coming from Romans 5:19 is actually Romans 5:10.

Read Romans 5:10

What is Jesus’s role in our being reconciled to God?

How might being reconciled to God affect how we relate to  God and to others?

How does Romans 5:10 support Pope Francis’s statement that hope is born of love?

How have you experienced God’s love giving you hope?

In the second part of paragraph 3, Pope Francis describes the action of the Holy Spirit in giving us hope.  What does he say the Holy Spirit does?

How does Romans 5:5 support this understanding of the Holy Spirit?

How have you experienced the Holy Spirit in your life?

Read Romans 8:35 and 8:37-39

How does the fact that nothing can separate us from the love of God help us understand why we can live a life of hope?

Paragraph 4 (hope requires patience) 🔗 

Knowing that we all face times of suffering, Pope Francis calls our attention to Romans 5:3-4.

Read Romans 5:3-4

Paul tells us that even suffering can lead to hope.  He describes it as a multi-step process.  What are the steps he sees that lead from suffering to hope?

Think about the sequence of steps Paul suggests: suffering -> endurance -> character -> hope.  Everyone is unique and not everyone experiences things in exactly the same way, but Paul’s analysis can be useful.

How might suffering infuse God’s character into us?  How might the experience of suffering lead to hope?

In the rest of paragraph 4 (including part 2 of paragraph 4) Pope Francis explains that patience is closely linked to hope.  Why is patience so important in the cultivation of hope?

Pope Francis cites St. Francis of Assisi in reminding us of the value of contemplation.  How might making time for contemplation help us deal with our impatience and better manage the cultural demand to treat everything as “urgent” and in need of immediate response?

How might you make contemplation a more central part of your life?

Suggested Activities: 

• Spend a few minutes in quiet contemplation each day.  You might find it helpful to find a good guide to contemplation from a respected Catholic or Christian author.

• Read and contemplate a portion of the New Testament each day.  One way to approach the meditation of Scripture is through the practice of lectio divina.

Pope Francis says patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, which is stated in Galatians 5:22-23.

Read Galatians 5:22-23

Paul is telling us that God the Holy Spirit is the one who gives us the patience we need to endure the sufferings we face.  How does it make you feel when you hear that God wants to give you what you need to go from suffering to hope?

How have you experienced suffering leading to hope in your life?

In the second part of paragraph 4, Pope Francis quotes from a translation of Romans 15:5 that describes God as “the God of all patience and encouragement.” Where do you see God’s patience in your life or in the lives of others?  How does that give you hope?

Closing question: Based on what we have considered in this session, if someone said to you, "How can you have hope with all that is going on in the world," how would you respond?

[1] See A Note About Our Terminology for an explanation of what we mean by a “part” of a paragraph.