HOPE40 - Day 27 - Trust His Timing

Week 5: HOPE IN THE CROSS

Today's Scripture: John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

click above to read in full

Jesus moves carefully. He knows that opposition to Him is growing. He does not go publicly to the feast at first, but later enters Jerusalem quietly. The people murmur as some believe He could be the Messiah, others insist He cannot be. Yet, Jesus stands firm in His mission, declaring that He has been sent by the Father. Though His enemies seek to arrest Him, they cannot lay a hand on Him because His time has not yet come.

Jesus knew suffering was ahead. He knew the weight of the Cross before it ever touched His shoulders. And yet, He walked forward in obedience, trusting the Father’s timing and plan. This is the hope of the Cross, not that you avoid suffering, but that in embracing it with Christ, it is transformed.

Like Jesus, you may find yourself misunderstood, struggling through trials, or waiting for God’s timing in situations that feel uncertain. You may wonder why relief hasn’t come, why prayers seem unanswered, why suffering lingers. But the Cross teaches that God's plan unfolds in ways you do not always see. Jesus was not abandoned in His suffering, and neither are you. Hope is not found in the immediate rescue but in the faithfulness of the One who walks with you.

Journal Prompt/Reflection for the Weekend:

Where in my life am I struggling to trust in God’s timing?

Let Us Pray

Lord Jesus, You walked toward the Cross with trust, knowing that the Father’s will is always good. Help me to follow Your example when I face trials, when I feel alone, and when I struggle to understand. Give me the grace to carry my crosses with hope, knowing that suffering united to You is never wasted. Strengthen me to trust in Your perfect timing and to walk forward in faith, even when I cannot see the full picture.

Amen

HOPE For Your Health - Uniting Sacrifice with Christ

Friday's HOPE40 challenge is a 24-hour fast in union with Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross. This is the 5th Friday of Lent, so this challenge is nothing new. Have you been able to fast a full 24 hours on a Friday over the last 5 weeks?

If a full 24-hour fast feels too difficult, fast as long as you are able. The heart of the challenge isn’t perfection, it’s intention. Offer your hunger, your discomfort, and your desire for healing or breakthrough as a sacrifice, united with Jesus’ suffering on Good Friday, which is just 2 weeks away.

Keep your intentions close to your heart and on your mind throughout the day. Every pang of hunger can become a prayer, every sacrifice a seed of hope.

“If we suffer with Him, we shall also be glorified with Him.” – Romans 8:17

HOPE For Your Marriage: Perseverance in Trials

Marriage has its seasons of ups and downs, and some of them are very stressful - misunderstanding, tension, or even deep pain. There are moments when you might feel unseen, unheard, or weighed down by long-standing struggles. The temptation might be to shut down, withdraw, or assume things will never get better. But Jesus shows us another way: He remains faithful to His mission, even in the face of resistance. His hope is not in circumstances changing immediately, but in the Father’s faithfulness.

Hope in marriage is not about pretending things are fine when they aren’t. It’s about believing that God can redeem, restore, and strengthen what feels broken. But just as Jesus did not walk alone, you are not meant to either. If struggles in your marriage feel overwhelming or unchanging, it is okay to seek help. Counseling and mentorship can be an avenue of grace, a place where healing can begin.

If you and your spouse need guidance, consider these Catholic resources:

The John Paul II Healing Center (Dr. Bob Schuchts) - Offers retreats and healing opportunities for couples facing deep wounds in their marriage.
CatholicCounselors.com (Dr. Greg and Lisa Popcak) - Provides online marriage counseling grounded in Catholic teaching.
Retrouvaille - A program designed to help struggling marriages rediscover connection and hope.
Marriage Encounter - Weekend retreats to help you live your best life in love.
Your local diocese - Many dioceses offer Catholic marriage counseling referrals or programs for couples.

Challenge:

If there is a recurring issue in your marriage that hasn’t improved, take one step toward healing this weekend. That may mean praying together about it, having an open and honest conversation, or seeking outside help. A great resource to start with is the Restore the Glory podcast, specifically the episodes "Unity in Marriage, Part 1, 2, and 3"

SOUTHWEST FRITTATA

Use the Southwest Seasoning recipe from yesterday in this delicious egg and veggie frittata. If it wasn't a Friday in Lent, I might add some seasoned ground beef or sausage.

INGREDIENTS

2 Tbsp avocado oil
1/2 cup sweet potatoes, diced
3 Tbsp red onion, chopped
1 Tbsp Emeril's Southwest Seasoning
1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
2 cups fresh spinach, rough chopped or torn by hand
1/2 cup zucchini, diced
10-12 large eggs, beaten
guacamole, salsa, cilantro for serving

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
In a cast iron skillet (or any oven-proof one will work), warm the oil over medium heat and add the sweet potatoes, red onion and seasoning. Saute for 5-6 minutes until the sweet potatoes begin to become tender.
Add the bell pepper, spinach and zucchini and cook an additional 3-4 minutes.
Pour the eggs over the veggie mix and carefully place in the oven and bake for 12 minutes, or until the eggs have puffed up and are cooked through.
Serve with your favorite toppings.