It is not we who wait for God, and draw God's attention, but it is God who awaits us. It is not we who are anxious to see God realize our desires, but it is God who wishes to enter into our plans, and to invest us with God's own strength. And in prayer it is God who anticipates us, giving us an opportunity to work for and with God, in the absolute certainty of success.
This is the first response of God, the secret of our hope, and what should be the foundation of our certitude.
In this connection, it seems that too often we believe that the essential element in hope is the desire to possess happiness and to possess God. Yet the essential role of hope is not primarily the desire for beatitude, but the assurance that God comes to our aid.
These words carry a profound truth...we want God to be here for us. Heaven is fine, but heaven is gained only after death.
I need God right here and now. And that is hope.
Even more, God waits for us. God wants to enter our plans. God yearns to be asked.
As monastics say at the beginning of liturgy, "Oh God, come to my assistance, O Lord, come to my aid."
May God be with us today and come to our aid.
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