Some people ask, “Why are Christians Optimistic, in our world today?”  And, I answer, "Christian Optimism is based on our striving to follow Jesus Christ with each step take and each decision we make.   
Our Optimism is based on our worldview, which is that we are passing through this earth, preparing for eternal life in ‘the land of the living’, so our happiness lies in living the Gospel Message and that happiness begets Optimism.”  [Dcn. George Kelly]

 
Pause for a moment, today, and a glimpse into the power of God’s Word.  Jesus gives us a 58 Word prayer - to form us.

We use the Lord’s Prayer at every stage of life from baptisms to burials.  The Lord’s Prayer reminds us of our responsibility to each other and for each other, we don’t pray “My Father”, we pray “Our Father”.
 

We pray give us, not give me.  We pray the Our Father to mold our wills and guide our actions to follow God’s plan.  What we ask for God already knows we need; so why ask?  We ask not to let God know, rather we ask so that we become more aware of our need for God!

 
Maybe this story can help us focus on how we can grow closer to Jesus.  “A four-year-old child, whose next-door neighbor was an elderly man, who recently lost his wife.  The little boy saw him crying, went into his yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.  When he got home his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy just said, 'Nothing, I just helped him cry.'”  (Leo Buscaglia shared this story)                                                      

Sometimes God sends angels but most of the time he sends you and me, I believe, in the end, God’s wins and I want to be on the winning team, that is why I am Optimistic.    

May God Be Praised!

I ask you to join me and offer this prayer to the Lord who hears our cry.

“Lord, listen to my prayer: turn your ear to my appeal.” [Psalm 143] God, You are our refuge and our hope, we turn to you during this COVID 19 pandemic and plead for Your intercession.  In Your mercy and Your compassion “… grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners, healing to the sick ….” [Collect from Mass Time in Pandemic].

Provide strength to the first responders and medical personnel.  End this coronavirus scourge.  Bring Your light to all who wander in the darkness of this pandemic and give each of us hope in Your eternal love today and every day.  Amen.  [Dcn. George Kelly]