“Expectant hope goes much further than just tomorrow morning.” We use the term ‘hope‘ when we expect some improvement or some positive outcome. Yet, in the Christian faith, there is a clear distinction between hope and expectant hope. At the Notre-Dame de Montligeon shrine, in the Sanctuaires normands program broadcast on RCF Orne-Calvados-Manche, Don Maurice clarifies this key difference. He shows that Christian hope is not subject to circumstances. It is rooted in faith in eternal life. This distinction changes the way we go through trials, support and counsel those who suffer and hope, including when it comes to our deceased.
Hope and expectant hope cover two separate realities
Don Maurice starts by pointing to a linguistic ambiguity [in the French language]: “We use the same verb for both realities.”
On the one hand, hope relates to the events of everyday life. It refers to what we expect in the near future, without certainty, eg.: ”Tomorrow, I’m going for a walk and I’m confident that the weather will be fine.” Such hope depends on circumstances. It expresses a desire, although fragile, sometimes uncertain.
Whereas expectant hope is on another level. ”Expectant hope goes much further than tomorrow morning. It is not affected by changes in the material circumstances. It’s rooted in the Christian faith.“ “Hopefulness is the Christian expectation, supported by faith in eternal life.“ It is based on God’s love for everyone, and on the desire to enter the eternal life promised to us.
This type of hope is neither vague nor abstract. It is expressed through prayer and in the teachings of the Church. “When you recite your rosary, the fruits of the mystery of the Ascension express your firm expectation of heavenly goods.“ The difference between hope and expectant hope then becomes clear: one applies to temporary realities, the other steers your entire existence towards a final fulfillment.
“Expectant hope is rooted in faith.“
Why do human beings have such a strong need to hope?
When asked about the need for hope, don Maurice begins by suggesting a simple reason. “This human life doesn’t only have good sides.“ Life bears challenges, trials, limits. Through hope, we are able to hold on, whilst not denying reality. It’s not about creating an imaginary refuge where everything will be better.
The second reason is more profound. “In the deepest recesses of human consciousness is rooted this awareness that there is something we can expect, i.e. an afterlife.“ This intuition runs throughout human history. As an example, Don Maurice mentions the archaeological discoveries of the Lascaux caves, where some specialists have detected a belief in a form of afterlife already existing.
Such awareness does not reflect a psychological need. “Our need for expectant hope is not something we have forged to get things to improve.“ It is part of human consciousness, regardless of the civilizations. Atheism and the denial of an afterlife have emerged quite late in history. “Prior to them, all communities had always believed in an afterlife.“
At that point, Christian faith steps in to accomplish this deeper expectation. It does not create it, it enlightens it, giving it a definite substance.
The Christian expectant hope and God’s promise
Why is there a decline of expectant hope in our days?
Christian [expectant] hope is not based on a personal projection. It is rooted in a promise received “from the God of Abraham, from the God of Isaac, from the God of Jacob, and then from the God of Jesus Christ“. In the biblical Revelation, expectant hope is part of a long history, transmitted and announced.
Don Maurice quotes St John’s Gospel: “I’m going to prepare a place for you, and when I’ve prepared it, I’ll come back and take you with me.“ These words are the foundation of our expectation of eternal life. It is based on a certainty: “We know Christ’s love for us. We know God’s love for us.“
Which means that Christian expectant hope is not a subjective construct. “Not because we make it up, but because we know, because it has been announced to us.“ The difference between hope and expectant hope clearly emerges here. Hope remains uncertain, whereas expenctant hope is based on a word received, believed and passed on.
This hope guides our daily lives. “I know that I am called to live this eternal life, and so I expect to live it.” It influences our choices, priorities and how we get through trials.
Don Maurice begins by reminding us that “faith, expectant hope and charity are gifts from God“. These gifts are offered to those who ask for and desire them. When atheism or agnosticism become widespread, those gifts are no longer asked of God.
He then analyzes how Western societies developped. The first centuries of Christianity unfolded in deeply religious societies. “When you look at how Saint Paul spread the Gospel, this took place in religious societies.“ The number of conversions kept growing, particularly in Rome, through gradual dissemination.
Starting from 19th and 20th centuries onwards, the context changed. “This religious foundation got swept away by materialism.“ Modern ideologies promise solely happiness on earth. “Happiness is on earth, no longer in heaven.“ In the circumstances, believing, hoping and loving require a demanding commitment. “Believing, hoping and loving require a strong, constant and persevering personal commitment.“
Conversely, the pursuit of material pleasure looks simpler. The way we have changed partly explains our difficulty in understanding the difference between hope and expectant hope.
Health or holiness?
With New Year just around the corner, our wishes often focus on health. Don Maurice admits that it is an important wish. Yet, as a priest, he suggest to look further beyond this horizon. “Rather than adding the phrase ‘and mostly a good health’ to my wished, I’d rather say ‘and mostly a good holiness’.
He recounts a discussion with an elderly nun to whom he had wished to to go to God. Although unsettling, his words triggered some thinking. Entering this heaven we’ve always hoped for is not a loss. It is the fulfillment of those who gave their life.
Don Maurice does not starkly contrast health and expectant hope. He admits the material reality. “A little health accident brought me here and made me realize how important health is too – for family life, for work, for daily responsibilities, health is necessary. “But it’s not essential if health is not used towards achieving holiness.”
The difference between hope and expectant hope here is clear in the priorities. One deals with the smooth running of earthly life. The other directs that life towards its ultimate goal.
Hoping and expecting for those who suffer and for the deceased
When he meets people who no longer expect anything, Don Maurice chooses to remain simple. “First of all, I don’t think I should tell them anything. I’ll start by listening to them.“ Listening already helps to help them overcome isolation. Many people suffer from not being able to share their loneliness and distress. The simple fact of being able to talk, of being heard, changes a certain number of things and already alleviates some of the suffering.
Next comes presence, then the proclamation of the Gospel. “Bringing some comfort is key,“ he says. Don Maurice draws on his experience as a parish priest, quoting St. Paul: “ I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.“ Christian expectation does not do away with everyday problems. It just places them in a broader perspective, focused on God’s promise.
At the shrine Notre-Dame de Montligeon, this expectant hope extends to the deceased too. “We cannot have faith for other people. We cannot love in their place. But we can hope for others.“ Such possibility is specific to expectant hope. It allows us to hope for those who no longer have hope on this earth, and for those who have died. The Lord, in His mercy, allows a time of purification and makes it possible for the living to play a role this mercy – through prayer. Prayer becomes a way of maintaining affection and tenderness beyond death.
Entering into a living hope devoid of naive optimism
In order to live an expectant hope fairly, don Maurice encourages us to turn to the Lord. “Lord, I believe, but help my faith. to grow.“ Expectant hope is rooted in faith in eternal life. The more faith grows, the more stable and focused expectant hope becomes. It’s not supported by a feeling, but by a living relationship with God.
Don Maurice warns us against two opposing excessive attitudes. On the one hand, the sadness resulting from despair. On the other, blissful optimism that denies pain. The Church offers a balance. It allows us to hold together the pain of separation and the light of expectant hope. “Indeed they’re no more, and it hurts.“ The pain is real and must not be denied.
Considering the passion and the resurrection together ensures that we don’t take the wrong path. “We must see the passion and we must see the resurrection.“ Such tension avoids both the crush of sadness and the illusion of happiness without ordeals. Only the Church can provide this balance, insists Don Maurice, by helping each person to go through pain in the light of expectant hope, and to await the promised encounter with Christ.
