Sacramentum is a series devised by the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, exploring the sacraments of the Catholic Church and other aspects of parish life and Catholic devotion. In this reflection, Rudy Jerome Mallannao details four defining virtues that can help us properly celebrate and honour the 2025 “Pilgrims of Hope” Jubilee Year.

Living up to God’s expectations with hope

Expectations shape our lives. They can inspire us to strive for greatness or burden us with the fear of failure.

The world’s expectations often come with pressure—to achieve more, to earn recognition, to measure up to fleeting standards of success. But God’s expectations are different. They don’t weigh us down; they lift us up. They remind us of our true identity as His beloved children, called to live with purpose and joy.

As we enter the Jubilee of Hope in 2025, we are invited to reflect on how we align our lives with God’s expectations. This Jubilee is not just a celebration of the Church’s tradition; it’s a call to renew our trust in God and to live with hope. To help us live this out, let’s explore this theme of hope using the acronym – H.O.P.E., which may offer us a practical and transformative way to embrace God’s vision for our lives.

H: Humility – Recognizing it’s not about us, it’s about Christ

Humility is the foundation of a life rooted in God. John the Baptist exemplifies this when he deflects attention from himself and points others to Jesus, saying, “I am not worthy to untie the thong of His sandals.” In our world, humility is often misunderstood as weakness, but in God’s eyes, it’s a source of strength. It’s the courage to acknowledge that we are part of something far greater than ourselves.

St. Augustine once said, “Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.” This profound insight reminds us that humility is not just an optional trait but the groundwork for every other virtue. By recognizing our dependence on God and giving Him glory for our successes, we open ourselves to true spiritual growth.

Think about your daily life. Humility isn’t about belittling yourself; it’s about lifting others up and recognizing God’s hand in your achievements. When we shift our focus from “What can I get?” to “How can I serve?” we find a joy that no worldly accolade can match. It’s in this mindset that we truly reflect Christ, whose life was a constant outpouring of love for others.

O: Obedience – Trusting God’s plan, even when it’s hard

Obedience isn’t about blindly following rules; it’s about trusting that God’s plan is better than ours, even when it’s hard to see the bigger picture. As St. Augustine put it, “Trust the past to the mercy of God, the present to His love, and the future to His providence.”

Think about it—when Jesus was baptized, He wasn’t asking for forgiveness. He was showing us how to surrender to God’s will, trusting that what the Father had planned was the best path. In our own lives, obedience often means making tough choices. It might look like forgiving someone who hurt us, stepping out of our comfort zones to serve others, or making time for prayer even when we’re swamped with life.

But in all these moments, obedience is about letting go of control and trusting that God’s way, even when it’s hard to understand, is ultimately for our good. And when we do that, like St. Augustine said, we can rest in knowing that God’s got the past, the present, and the future in His loving hands.

P: Prayer – Staying connected to God’s heart

Prayer is the lifeline of our faith. At His baptism, Jesus prayed, and the heavens opened, showing the deep connection between Him and the Father. Prayer isn’t just about asking for things; it’s about building a real, personal relationship with God. As St. Teresa of Avila wisely said, “Prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.”

It’s in these moments of prayer that we find clarity, strength, and peace—whether we’re facing big challenges or just going through the motions of a regular day. It doesn’t have to be complicated either. Starting your day with a simple, “Lord, guide me today” can make all the difference. Throughout your day, take a moment to thank Him, seek His guidance, or just sit quietly in His presence.

When we pray, we open ourselves up to hear God’s voice and align our hearts with His will. Even the most ordinary tasks become opportunities to connect with Him. Prayer isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence, building that relationship with God, and trusting that He’s with us every step of the way.

E: Empowerment – Living as God’s beloved, filled with the Spirit

At Jesus’ baptism, He was publicly affirmed as the beloved Son, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. This same Spirit is given to us through our own baptism, empowering us to live as witnesses of God’s love. As St. Catherine of Siena said, “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”

Empowerment isn’t about avoiding challenges; it’s about knowing we’re never alone in facing them. When we embrace the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives, we find the courage to stand up for what is right, the strength to persevere in tough times, and the inspiration to share God’s love with others. Empowerment means recognizing that we are not just recipients of God’s grace but active participants in His mission.

Whether it’s through small acts of kindness, sharing our faith, or simply living with integrity, we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. The Holy Spirit gives us everything we need to be His witnesses, and when we live with that awareness, we can impact the world in ways we never imagined.

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Practical Ways to live out the Jubilee of Hope

• Celebrate the Sacraments: Participate actively in the Eucharist and seek reconciliation regularly. These sacraments are sources of grace that strengthen our faith and renew our hope. Attend Mass regularly and be the one to invite family and friends to join you. This Jubilee year, help them have a personal encounter with Jesus by being a witness to His love and presence in the Eucharist.
• Serve Others with Joy: Find ways to serve in your parish or community. Whether it’s volunteering at a shelter, mentoring someone in need, or simply offering a listening ear, acts of service bring hope to others and deepen our connection to God.
• Spread the Message of Hope: Be a beacon of hope in your words and actions. Encourage those who are struggling, share your faith journey, and remind others of God’s love and promises.
• Participate in the Diocese’s Jubilee Events: Get involved in the Jubilee of Hope events happening in your diocese. Whether through prayer, volunteering, or attending events, your participation helps build a stronger, more united community, all centered on hope.

Additionally, we’re called to support our parishes, priests, missions, and communities. By contributing time, talent, and resources, we help strengthen the foundation of our faith and create a ripple effect of love and support. Our parishes are the heart of our spiritual life, and when we lift up our priests, serve in our communities, and contribute to the mission, we are living out the message of hope that the Jubilee invites us to share with the world.

Conclusion: Embracing God’s Expectations with Hope

Expectations can either weigh us down or lift us up. When they come from the world, they often lead to stress and dissatisfaction. But God’s expectations invite us to live with purpose, joy, and hope. Through humility, obedience, prayer, and empowerment, we can align our lives with His vision and embrace the Jubilee of Hope as a time of renewal and grace.

As we journey toward 2025, let us remember: “Hope is not the absence of expectations but the courage to embrace them, trusting that every challenge is a step toward something greater.” May we live each day with the confidence that we are God’s beloved, called to bring His hope to the world.