HOW DO I GIVE HOPE?

Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
Oct 8, 2024
2 min read

Readings:

Ezekiel 37:1-14

Psalm 107:2-9

Matthew 22:34-40

If you live long enough, you will experience hopelessness in your life, in relationships and in the way the world is going. But in the midst of our hopelessness, God wants us to do something about it. God leads the Prophet Ezekiel into a vision of a valley filled with dry human bones. There is nothing more hopeless than death. God asks him, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ Ezekiel replies, ‘You know, Lord.’ God responds, ‘Prophesy over these bones’ so that they can come back to life. Pause and think about it for a second. You are staring at dry bones and you are told to do something about it, what do you do? You do as you are told—do what God has commanded you.

It is not up to you to change the situation, but is up to you to do what God commands. What does God expect you to do? He expects you to prophesy —to live a prophetic life. He has put you in your specific situation because He knows you can do something about it. You have your life because God wants you to live it the best way possible. The best way is to live your life in union with God. So, your whole life is a word of prophesy, of bringing God’s will to reality on earth.

How do you prophesy by your life?

Live a life of holiness, a life free from sin and made over to God.
Serve where you are, bloom where you are planted.
Show love and mercy (the greatest commandment is to love God and your neighbour).
Put yourself in good and wholesome relationships (avoid the wrong, sinful and destructive environment and influences).
Be a person of prayer (surround yourself with prayerful people).
Frequent the sacraments of the Eucharist and Confession.
Spend time in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in order to soak up strength.
Study God’s word daily and fill your mind with it.
Spend time each day in silence.
Live a life of goodness regardless of how others treat you.
Be a blessing to everyone you meet.