Legacy-Based Hope: Remembering the Light That Guides Us Forward
by Sr. Cynthia Hruby, ND
For weeks now I have been pondering “what gives me hope?” One evening when I was feeling the heaviness of another day, I noticed the time. I sent a text to a “night owl” friend, “Ok to call?” As I waited a feeling stirred followed by a quiet thought: Is this hope? I was confident a response would come, if not tonight, then the next day. That’s our pattern, our mutual history of support. I named the insight experience “legacy-based hope.”
The next morning, as I resisted getting up, I turned on the radio to catch an update and maybe get a snooze. As usual, first the weather then a report on the recent “new war” casualties and bombing expansion. I switched from KIOS NPR to Spirit Catholic KVSS. Someone was speaking about Lampstand Initiative groups at Norfolk Sacred Heart Parish and School for developing a life of prayer and community engagement. My thoughts went to the many immigrants – lay, religious, priests – who carried our Catholic faith and traditions to this land. Their legacy lives on in the youth and faith communities being formed!
Inspiration for Lampstand evangelization was drawn from some of my favorite passages: Matthew 5:14-15, “You are a lampstand, a light….” Psalm 119:105, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet.” John 8:12, Jesus is the Light. The KVSS report caused me to enter my personal memories which included classroom and retreat ministry, substitute teaching in Omaha Catholic schools, GED-ELL with adults, advocacy for nation sovereignty, …. In the quiet, lyrics from several songs emerged. I felt again “legacy-based hope.”
Where and when did my “legacy-based hope” begin to form? I returned to my copious notes from an interview of Professor Ilan Pappé, a historian known for his work on the Middle East Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He was asked for the source of hope in such a long struggle. He believes hope is often the response to dark moments, but you’re just waiting, not doing much. Hope needs imagination driven by the forces within that create a new reality toward which one chooses actions. This kind of imagination looks back for transformations in one’s personal and collective history. Setbacks and scars from wounds are remembered; but the new reality was always on the horizon motivating action. Pappé believes what has been demolished can be retrieved. Hope with imagination enlivens erased legacy.
Looking back with a discerning Beatitude-attitude heart, I am moved to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. With this action, I recognize the transformations that a greater power, the Holy Spirit, has been creatively present in each transition. This awareness brings me to the next horizon. With legacy-based hope, I am empowered to continue more joyful loving service.
Osibisa lyrics: “We are going! Heaven knows where we are going, and we know we will get there.”
By women: Wiyaala – Woyaya (We Are Going) – Osibisa’s Inspirational Hit Song (1971)