Hope + Faith = Joy.
In his Sunday Mass homily at Saint Michael Cathedral in Kalibo, +Bp. Romie Jun reminded us that true joy is born when we actively live out hope and faith. Indeed, when hope and faith work together, joy naturally follows—because Hope + Faith = Joy.
To begin with, hope gives us vision. It allows us to see beyond what our eyes can perceive. Although some events in our lives unfold in ways we never wanted or expected, these moments often lead us toward greater blessings. Above all, we are called to place our hope in Jesus—looking forward to His Second Coming and trusting Him to carry us through every trial we face.
Moreover, faith puts hope into action. For example, students who dream of becoming doctors do not achieve their goals by hoping alone; they study diligently and persevere to make their dreams a reality. In the same way, parents are called to teach their children not only to dream big but also to act in faith—to work faithfully toward what they hope for.
As we grow in both hope and faith, joy becomes their fruit. This joy is not temporary happiness but a deep conviction rooted in the heart. When we place our hope in Jesus and entrust our lives to Him, joy naturally follows. But how do we nurture this joy? We do so by cultivating patience and listening attentively to the Word of God. Patience reminds us that God makes everything beautiful in His perfect time, while His Word strengthens our faith in Jesus.
Finally, we must accept that hardships are part of life. Through these challenges, our faith is shaped and strengthened—just as we see in the life of John the Baptist in the Gospel. Therefore, let us continue to live with hope and act with faith, so that the joy within us may remain steadfast and true. After all, Hope + Faith = Joy.
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