Unquenchable hope

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Last month I had the opportunity to travel to Poland to touch base with my Polish roots. The first city we visited was Warsaw, the scene of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising. In retaliation for this uprising 85% of the city was systematically destroyed by the Nazis. Old Town with buildings that had dated back to the 13th century were completely demolished. After the war this area was painstakingly rebuilt using photographs and drawings of the buildings. Today Old Town truly feels like an old town. I was deeply moved as I walked through the area.

After such devastation to their country the Polish people could have given up any idea of rebuilding or perhaps only have planned for a partial rebuild.  Instead they had hope--hope that they could once again touch base with the past while passing on a legacy to their children.  What an unquenchable hope in the face of such challenges!  

We have just celebrated the Feast of Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit. Though these days the state of the world, and especially our country, seems bleak and worrisome, the Holy Spirit gives us hope, unquenchable hope, in God's goodness and reminds us never to give up, but to continue our efforts to create a loving and peace-filled community.

What gives you hope in distressing times?

Marie Lucek, OP

Juneau, AK

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