Hope

Hope is the second of the theological virtues. By it, man desires the Kingdom of heaven and eternal life as his happiness, and awaits from God, with firm confidence, that he will grant him to attain it. It keeps the soul turned toward the promised good and makes it advance toward him: “For in this hope we were saved.” Romans 8:24

An expectation founded on God's promise

Hope rests on the faithfulness of God, who always keeps his word. It relies on the promises of Christ and on his victory, by which heaven is now opened to man. Its foundation is sure, for the one who promised is worthy of faith: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

It clings to goods still to come and unseen, and it is in this waiting that it unfolds its strength: “Hope that is seen is no longer hope: for who hopes for what he sees?” Romans 8:24

A reliance on grace, not on one's own strength

Man does not attain eternal life by his own strength alone. Hope places its confidence in the help of the Holy Spirit, who sustains the desire and grants one to advance toward the goal. It awaits everything from the goodness of God: pardon, perseverance, and the promised happiness: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

An anchor in trial

Hope holds the soul firm in the midst of trials, for it is fixed in God himself, whom nothing shakes. It is to the soul what the anchor is to the ship: “We hold it as an anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast.” Hebrews 6:19

Far from weakening before suffering, it grows firm in it, because trial endured with God produces constancy, and constancy strengthens hope: “Suffering produces perseverance, perseverance a tested virtue, and this virtue hope; and hope does not disappoint.” Romans 5:3-5

Its fulfilment

Hope is fulfilled in the possession of the awaited good. When man sees God face to face and holds him for ever, waiting will give way to joy, and hope to full possession: “Now to see what one hopes for is no longer to hope.” Romans 8:24 Of these three virtues, faith and hope will thus pass away in heaven, while charity abides for ever.