“Beautiful Hope – Finding Hope Every Day in a Broken World”

Book Review

“Beautiful Hope – Finding Hope Every Day in a Broken World”

By Matthew Kelly, Pope Francis and many more contributors

https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Hope-Matthew-Kelly/dp/1929266537

When it came time for a new book to read, I found it to be quite a challenge.  There are so many inspiring titles and excellent authors to choose from.  How would I know, and would it be something that others would find interesting.  Then I heard that small voice inside my head (the Holy Spirit) say, “Yes, this one.”

About the Author:

“Real hope for the future comes from giving everything to the present.”  Matthew Kelly, born in Sydney, Australia, began speaking and writing in his late teens while he was attending business school.  Since that time, 4 million people have attended his seminars and presentations in more than 50 countries and his books have been published in more than 25 languages.  He is the founder of The Dynamic Catholic Institute, a Cincinnati-based nonprofit organization, whose mission is to re-energize the Catholic Church in America by developing world-class resources that inspire people to rediscover the genius of Catholicism.

Book Summary:

The book opens with a prelude from the author, then an Introduction letter from Pope Francis.  The prelude gives you an insight as to what to expect from the rest of the book.  Matthew Kelly has compiled stories/experiences from ordinary people like you and me along with stories and insights from clergy.

There are four parts to this book with a main theme and chapters written that relate to it.  For example, Part One: Choosing Hope – Chapter “A Powerful Force” by Fr. Mike Schmitz, Part Three: “An Anniversary to Remember”, by Marguerite Brambani, plus other stories.  At the end of each chapter there is a “Focus” from their story and a “Reflect” question for the reader to think about.  All go back to the title of the book itself, Beautiful Hope.

This is a very easy read.  With each story you will find people sharing their most treasured memories, thoughts, feelings and yes, their hope.  These are stories that will make you smile, that will bring a tear to your eye and “hopefully” bring joy to your heart.

Sharing my thoughts:

What first caught my attention (besides that small voice in my head) was the title, Beautiful Hope: Finding Hope Every Day in a Broken World.  With all that is going on around us, with all the uncertainty of “what’s next”, it seemed like the right book to read.  After all, isn’t “hope” what we all clinging too?  Hope that there will be a cure, hope that we will all return to the way life used to be?

As I read each story with each focus and reflection, it made me think of what exactly is ‘hope’ in my life.  What do I hope for?

One common connection with each story is that hope cannot be confused with wishes.  I hope it doesn't rain today.  I hope the Angels win the World Series (sorry sis).  I hope I win the lottery.  These hopes are fine, but are they hopes or wishful thinking?

What I got out of the stories is that as Catholic Christians, we hope for so much more.  We hope for eternal life.  We hope for humanity.  We hope… 

Not to give away too much, these are just a few thoughts from Pope Francis that gave me cause for reflection; “I hope, because God is beside me”  “I hope, I have hope, because God walks with me.”  “Only hope brings a smile: it is the hopeful smile in the expectation of finding God.”  “Thus for a Christian, to hope means the certainty of being on a journey with Christ toward the Father who awaits us.  Hope is never still; hope is always journeying, and it makes us journey.” 

There are so many wonderful stories in this book that I could tell you about, but I truly feel that this is a book you need to read without too much information.  Each reader will get their own “hope” from each story, each experience shared by the writers.  I do recommend reading it with a box of tissues.

I leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Stephen King and his book/movie The Shawshank Redemption: “Hope is a good thing; maybe the best of things and no good thing ever dies.”

Hoping this finds you all doing well in these challenging times.

Wishing you peace, love and good health, God bless.

  

Gloria Wheeler 

(Glory Bee)