Hope in the Everyday: Love, Strength, and Small Victories

Reflection 1: The Progression of Love, Faith, and Hope

“So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” - 1 Corinthians 13:13

I used to think faith, hope, and love existed in a hierarchy where love was the greatest, followed by faith, and finally hope. It seemed that hope was the least concrete or substantial. Maybe because in everyday life, I often say things like, "I hope traffic isn't too bad... I hope the laundry dries in time... I hope I remembered to send that email." I hope for many mundane things constantly. But when I say "I love you... I have faith in you," it feels heavier. Does hope feel elusive to you?

I have trouble trusting things to chance and other people, even God. I want to control my life, so hope is unnatural and uncomfortable for me. But every year during Advent, I reflect back on a retreat I did during my gap year after college. In one of my prayer sessions alone in the chapel, I heard God saying to me, “Be not afraid.” I asked God, “How can I not be afraid? I don’t know what I’m doing, where I’m going, nothing is certain.” God said, “You can have hope in my love.”

What I’ve come to learn is that this trio of graces doesn’t have a hierarchy, but a progression: Love > Faith > Hope. Experiencing God’s love for you builds faith—the belief that God has loved you. The more you build faith that God has woven His love throughout your past, the more you begin to have hope—the belief that God will continue to love you into the future.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13

Bethany Vu

Reflection 2: Finding Hope in Motherhood

Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year, a season of anticipation and hope as we prepare for the birth of Jesus. This year, I find myself clinging to that hope more than ever in my journey as a mother. With a growing toddler who’s discovering her independence and testing her boundaries daily, my patience is constantly stretched. There are moments when doubt creeps in, and I wonder if I’m doing enough or if I’m the mother she needs. The weight of those questions can feel overwhelming.

Yet, my love for her is deeper than I ever imagined. In those moments of doubt, I’m reminded of Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” This verse encourages me to find strength in hope, patience in challenges, and trust through prayer.

This Advent, I want to be more patient—not just with my daughter but with myself. I’m learning that each moment of difficulty is an opportunity to grow in love and faith. God entrusted me with this beautiful vocation of motherhood, and I believe He is guiding me through every challenge. With His grace, I can meet each day with hope, knowing that I am enough, and His love will sustain me as I continue this journey.

Tami Nguyen-Tran

Reflection 3: Hope in Healthcare

My day-to-day goal is to be God's vessel and let Him show Himself to others through me—and that's how I turned my career into my own ministry. Working in healthcare, I come face to face with uncertainties and challenges every day. These are not my own uncertainties and challenges, but my patients'.

"Who are you?"
"This is all new to me."
"What is that?"
"What's wrong with me?"
"When do I get to go home?"

The hospital is filled with those who are struggling and feeling lost. I will never fully understand what my patients are going through, but they tell me that working with me gives them a sense of hope that they will be able to go home safely.

Walking 50 feet might sound like nothing to us, but 50 feet is something my patients and I celebrate because it brings us closer to home. Every day is a reminder that the simplest things can bring hope—just like the birth of a baby named Jesus, who brings hope for humanity.

NgocAnh Tran