Witnessing the situations certain people are living in around the world is a reminder of the true meaning of hope according to a Phillipines cardinal.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle said that in his ministry as Archbishop of Manila and in his travels for church-charity Caritas he sees people living in situations the world would see as hopeless.
“The poor know the frustration of dreaming and working hard with not much result,” Cardinal Tagle said.
“They are betrayed by persons and institutions. But in their raw poverty, what is left for them is their humanity. They remind all of us that being human is our true and only wealth.”
While anyone can be tempted to see the fulfilment of hope in accomplishments, improved numbers and bigger bank balances, the poor celebrate the gift of life and praise the giver of life, the cardinal said.
“This is the secret of their enduring and persistent hope, which those who enjoy comfortable living, yet complain unceasingly, should discover,” he said.
“Of the many challenges to hope, I consider pride the most dangerous. Pride weakens faith that gives assurance to hope. Pride makes me think I can do better than God. Pride makes me place my hope in myself. Pride makes me a pseudo-saviour.”
In addition to serving as archbishop of Manila and president of Caritas Internationals, Cardinal Tagle also is president of the Catholic Biblical Federation.