Religion & Law

Does hope spring eternal? It should for the Christian. However, like most people, I can enter those dark moments when hope seems far distant. But there is reason to hope about hope.

One of my current evening reading projects is to read (once again) and pray over the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus, the General Examen, and the Formula of the Institute?foundational texts of the Society of Jesus. I am presently reading the edition translated by the late Father George Ganss, S.J. In his introduction to these documents, Fr. Ganss offers important historical insights that relate to my topic of seeking hope and knowing that God provides. Events of our recent times can lead us to despair, but should we not hope for deliverance? When classroom efforts and research and publication appear to be activities that offer little satisfaction, should we not hope that they are the work of discipleship?making the connection between faith and legal reasoning?

As I continue reading the Ganss edition, I came across his discussion of the hopelessness that existed during St. Ignatius?s time. His insights helped to focus my attention on why hope is and must be real for the disciple. Fr. Ganss points out that during the early sixteenth century when Father Ignatius was initiating the efforts that would lead to the order?s recognition by the Holy See, the ?known? world was immersed in war; ignorance infiltrated vast percentages of the population; religious division was prevalent; few of the laity attended the sacraments; the number of priests was in steep decline. But, good disciples existed and recognized the need not only to work but to pray to God and to place hope in His mercy and His answers to prayers. Wars ended?at least for a while; religious ignorance was dispersed?at least for a while; divisions within religious communities were replaced with some reconciliation?at least for a while; vocations within the priesthood and religious life began to rise again?at least for a while.

Those responsible for aiding in the improvement of these difficult conditions appeared to have one thing in common: their hope and their trust in God. I keep thinking that this is a good tonic for us in the present age as we confront the anguish of our own time. While it may be easy to critique the times, it is also within our reach to put aside desolation and replace it with hope and trust in God. This is the work, the labor of love, of any true disciple.

RJA sj