We just finished a week of renewal and hope. People all over the world celebrated Easter, Passover, and the Holy Days.

Cardinal Dolan of New York talked about the Holy season on the Today Show last week. He said most people, even the non-religious, those who attend church only on Easter and Christmas, have faith. He also said many people struggle to have hope, especially at times like we are experiencing now. His comment caused me to think of the difference in these two, faith and hope.

In Hebrews 11:1, the Bible mentions faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” In Matthew 21:22 we are told “whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

The promises in the Bible about hope speak to the importance of having hope, and that it is hope that is not seen, but is believed. In Romans 15:13 we are told, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Different writings discuss the relationship between faith and hope. It is said that true hope is often rooted in faith. Faith is considered the foundation of hope, and hope is often seen as a consequence of faith. It is not possible to have hope without faith.

If faith is foundational to hope, and more people have faith than hope, how do we increase our ability to have hope? Perhaps we should discuss what hope isn’t to consider this further.

Hope is not wishful thinking. It isn’t positive thinking or optimism. Then what is it?

Hope is expectant, courageous, and patient. Hope is also a source of stability., Hope strengthens us for the challenges we face. All of these seem to depend on someone else, and for the Christian that someone else is God. We also depend on ourselves to have faith and believe, and do our part to live lives worthy of faith and hope.

As I think of faith and hope. It seems that it is hard to separate the two. But there is a distinction between the two that is important. Faith is more of a belief, and hope requires action.

A sad ending to the Holy Days was the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. Even to me as a non-Catholic, Pope Francis was the epitome of one who gave faith and hope to many people, including the disenfranchised. He fought a good fight, and has now finished his race.

How about you and me? Are we living lives of faith and hope?