Spe Salvi

And after all this time, I'm only starting with a few words on paragraph 1. Still, it's a loaded paragraph, which sets the table for the whole encyclical, so it's probably worth getting a few things straight from the start. One other thing before we get going: I won't claim to be any sort of expert theologian, and this won't be any sort of deep commentary. I just want to post my own thoughts on hope as inspired by much more profound thinkers than I.

So, about mid-way through paragraph 1, we get something like a definition from Benedict: "the present, even if it is arduous, can be lived and accepted if it leads towards a goal, if we can be sure of this goal, and if this goal is great enough to justify the effort of the journey." It seems there are two sorts of hope one can consider: a short term hope, and (as is the emphasis of the encyclical) an eternal hope. We put ourselves through any number of hardships -- college and grad school, bad relationships, dirty diapers, etc. -- in the hope that there will be a reward in the end -- career, happy marriage, happy and well adjusted children, etc.

The big questions come when one considers the second sort -- hope for eternity. This Benedict acknowledges right away: "what sort of hope could ever justify the statement that...we are redeemed? And what sort of certainty is involved here?" These are the big questions one faces when considering one's mortality -- to the extent that one is so blessed that death is not suddenly and unexpectedly visited upon oneself. Specifically, I want to read the rest of the encyclical somewhat selfishly. I want some answers myself, as to what sort of hope it is that I embrace, making the struggle with cancer worthwhile.

For now we continue with Augustine, trusting "the past to the mercy of God; the present to His love; the future to His providence." More to come...