Hope in the News

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

hope for a harvest

This week a friend remarked that, although he is a bit of a news junkie, he is almost afraid to listen these days, since the constant stream of tragedy and malice is so disheartening. I had to agree, except for one item.

I listened to a news conference this week that included elected members of all three levels of government, Indigenous leaders and private enterprise. Quite an assortment of leaders, and they were all excited and glad to sign on to a program designed to help the neediest members of Canadian society. There was no nit-picking (they left that to the press corps, it's their job) no politicking, and no second-guessing. Instead, I heard a group of powerful people committing themselves to doing something good, something "for the least of these."

When I turned off the news, I felt hopeful.

As my friend remarked, "hope" is not a frequent reaction to the news.

Belittling those in power has become a universal sport in recent years. Social media is full of memes and podcasts jeering at the famous and the infamous. Politicians are a favourite target. These quips and cartoons are often clever and amusing, and I have no quarrel with those who point out the absurdities, foolishness or corruption of the powerful. But . . .

Glenn Gould wrote a contemporary fugue that contained the line "never be clever for the sake of being clever." That's a sentiment worth remembering. Is our destructive wit clever for the sake of being clever? Is that meme helpful? Is it true? Is it hopeful? Does it do good?

Rev. Irwin is presenting a series of sermons based on the virtues.  Thus far we have heard sermons on wisdom, temperance, justice, gratitude (not a formal virtue) and courage. 

The Presbyterian Church in Canada has not formalized the seven virtues as some denominations do, but in 1 Corinthians we read, And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (KJV)

There was considerable charity (love) in the news announcement that I heard, but my overall takeaway was one of hope. 

We are quick to criticize, let us be equally quick to check that post for wisdom, temperance, justice and courage before hitting the send button. And let us be grateful to those who offer faith, hope and love.