Hope is always positive

I just read this quotation and pass it on to you:

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“Comfort consists in the exercise of hope.  The theological virtue of hope is purified by the Gift of Knowledge and perfects it.  Hope as a theological virtue does not depend on the past.  In other words, hope is not based on what we have done in the past, whether good or bad.  No matter who we are, even if we are the greatest sinner on earth, we can always hope, because hope is not based on past actions.  It is based on the infinite goodness and mercy of God here and now - a mercy that never changes."

Thomas Keating, "The Gift of Knowledge", Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit

I love the fact that hope is not based on what we have done in the past, whether good or bad! In fact, I think hope is what really gives us confidence and joy because God uses hope to move us closer to Him.
 

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