Christian optimism is not a sugary optimism, nor is it a mere human confidence that everything will turn out all right. It is an optimism that sinks its roots into an awareness of our freedom, and the sure knowledge of the power of grace. It is an optimism that leads us to make demands on ourselves, to struggle to respond at every moment to God's call.
Interpretation
Christian optimism is a deep-rooted belief based on freedom and grace, encouraging self-demand and responsiveness to God.
This quote by Josemaria Escriva emphasizes that Christian optimism transcends superficial positivity and is grounded in profound spiritual truths. It is not based on a false sense of security but rather on an awareness of human freedom and the transformative power of divine grace, urging individuals to actively engage with their spiritual journey and respond to divine callings with commitment and effort.
In practice
In a sermon about personal growth and spiritual resilience, this quote could inspire congregants to embrace challenges.
Many Christians take their time and have leisure enough in their social life (no hurry here). They are leisurely, too, in their professionally activities, at table and recreation (no hurry here either). But isn't it strange how those same Christians find themselves in such a rush and want to hurry the priest, in their anxiety to shorten the time devoted to the most holy sacrifice of the altar?
You must realise now, more clearly than ever, that God is calling you to serve Him in and from the ordinary, secular and civil activities of human life. He waits for us everyday, in the laboratory, in the operating theatre, in the army barracks, in the university chair, in the factory, in the workshop, in the fileds, in the home and in all the immense panorama of work.
As soon as you willfully allow a dialogue with temptation to begin, the soul is robbed of peace, just as consent to impurity destroys grace.
You strayed from the way and did not return because you were ashamed. It would be more logical if you were ashamed not to return.
Don't you long to shout to those youths who are bustling around you: Fools! Leave those worldly things that shackle the heart - and very often degrade it - leave all that and come with us in search of Love!
I simply contend that the middle-class ideal which demands that people be affectionate, respectable, honest and content, that they avoid excitements and cultivate serenity is the ideal that appeals to me, it is in short the ideal of affectionate family life, of honorable business methods.
I condemn false prophets, I condemn the effort to take away the power of rational decision, to drain people of their free will - and a hell of a lot of money in the bargain. Religions vary in their degree of idiocy, but I reject them all. For most people, religion is nothing more than a substitute for a malfunctioning brain.
Great truths are portions of the soul of man; Great souls are portions of eternity.
Never does one feel oneself so utterly helpless as in trying to speak comfort for great bereavement.
In my country, we're sufficiently consumed by the concept of happiness that the right to its pursuit is enshrined in the Declaration of Independence. But what is happiness?
Tears are often the telescope by which men see far into heaven.
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