Unexpecting patience, responsible hope

Unexpecting patience, responsible hope

“The two hardest tests on the spiritual road are the patience to wait for the right moment and the courage not to be disappointed with what we encounter.” – Paulo Coelho, Veronika Decides to Die

We pray petitions and other kinds of devotions, usually in hopes of a particular desire being manifested. But it is a slippery slope where hope can become expectation, and expectation can lead to disappointment and resentment.

Maybe the insight is that our patience should not be expecting and we should manage our hope responsibly. “Responsible hope” may refer to a hope that is well-grounded, realistic, and mindful of the challenges and uncertainties that come with pursuing a goal or an aspiration. Responsible hope is not about blindly expecting but being faithfully optimistic.

Mark 6:53-56. They laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-037: FEBRUARY 6, 2023]