There is an ancient tradition that says over the gates of hell are inscribed the words, "Abandon hope, all you who enter here!” So let me share a story to bring back the hope.
There was a funeral for a little 9 years old girl by the name of Annie who had leukemia. She bravely fought this disease for nine months before she died. Her parents, relatives and friends came to listen to the word of God and receive His sacraments of life. During the funeral service, the grandfather shared Annie’s favorite bible story. She would read this story to her grandpa.
It was forty days after Jesus death on a cross, when He appeared to his friends, He promised them that he would send them the spirit who would guide and support them when he would leave. On that day, Jesus went up to heaven, and the clouds blocked their vision but angels came and stood beside the disciples and said. “Why are you looking-up in the sky He has returned to his Father but he will come back and take you with Him.”
After Annie read the story, she would look at grandpa with questioning eyes, then her eyes suddenly changed, She knew, she really knew. Her eyes said it all. Jesus prayed that we all would be with Him in heaven and Annie knew it was true. At that moment, the church went still, and you could sense that everyone in the pews were filled with hope and God was with people them.
You see in difficult times, mass shootings, deadly viruses, serious disease, we go numb with fear and lose hope. Then we fill ourselves with all kinds of emotions, grief, sadness, frustration, confusion and anger. Our noisy brains are filled with fear and negativity. The only way to get through this mess is faith. Annie knew. Annie knew and now we must know that every time we are confronted with a tragedy or feel the pain of lost, or struggle with the reality of war, discrimination or hate, we must have the hope that Jesus came to bring love into the world, and it is His love that Annie found peace.
Annie knew and every family in Buffalo and Texas, and Ukraine where pain is felt must know that only our faith and hope in God will bring us comfort and peace.
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who struggle with their fears and pain due to the tragedies of life. In hell, there is no hope, however, in heaven you will find little Annie with a twinkle in her eye that says, hold my hand and come and follow me and I will take you to see my friend Jesus who wants us all to be with him in glory. A glory not found in strength and power but in the blood of the cross where Jesus’ love brings us the hope of eternal life
