HOPE40 - Day 14 - Rooted in Hope

HOPE IN SURRENDER

Today's Scripture: Jeremiah 17:5-10

click above to read

"Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season but stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit." – Jeremiah 17:5-8

Where do you place your trust? It is easy to rely on your own strength, to seek security in human plans, or to grasp at control in difficult moments. Yet scripture reminds you that when you trust in anything apart from God, you become like a barren bush, dry and lifeless, struggling through the seasons of life without renewal. But when you place your hope in the Lord, you become like a tree planted by the water...steady, nourished, and fruitful, even in times of drought.

Surrendering to God does not mean giving up; it means allowing Him to be your source of hope and strength. It means loosening your grip on fear and self-reliance, trusting that He will sustain you, even when you cannot see the way ahead. Like roots stretching toward water, your hope must reach for Christ, drawing from His Word, His sacraments, and His promises.

Let Us Pray

Lord, You are my hope and my strength. Teach me to trust in You completely, to surrender my plans, my worries, and my fears into Your hands. Help me to remain planted in Your love, drawing from the living water You provide. May my heart rest in the peace of knowing that You will always provide, always sustain, and always lead me toward life. Amen.

HOPE For Your Health: Trusting in God's Design

St. Joseph's Table at our church last night. Imagine more statues and icons of St. Joseph and no blank space on the table!

We are back to fasting today after our little mid-week break thanks to St. Joseph. Our parish had a wonderful St. Joseph Table celebration with an incredibly delicious Italian dinner. The breads and desserts were amazing. We were definitely feasting!

Returning to the 14-Hour Fast: Surrendering Again

Did you take time to truly celebrate and feast yesterday? Feasting is just as much a part of your spiritual life as fasting. It reminds you that God is generous, that He desires you to enjoy the good things He provides, and that your sacrifices are always leading you toward deeper joy in Him.

But now, we return to our 14-hour fast, and this too is a gift. Fasting is an act of surrender—of our comforts, our habits, and even our control over time. It is a way of recalibrating our desires, reminding ourselves that "man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" ~Matthew 4:4. Each time you deny yourself something small, you train your heart to rely more fully on Him.

So as you return to fasting today, do so with gratitude. Let it be a reminder that God is forming you, strengthening you, and teaching you to hunger for Him above all else. Surrendering your schedule, your cravings, and your comforts is not a loss...it is an offering, an act of hope, and a pathway to deeper freedom.

HOPE For Your Marriage: Sacramental Graces

Marriage, like the seasons of life, goes through times of abundance and times of drought. There are moments of deep connection, laughter, and unity—and there are times of struggle, miscommunication, and distance. What determines whether your marriage thrives in every season is where you place your hope. Do you rely on your own strength, expecting your spouse to fulfill your every need? Or do you place your trust in the Lord, allowing Him to be the foundation of your relationship?

The prophet Jeremiah reminds us that those who trust in human strength alone will be like a barren bush in the desert. But those who root themselves in God’s grace will remain strong, even in the face of challenges. In marriage, this means surrendering the illusion of control, letting go of unrealistic expectations, and instead anchoring your relationship in the Lord. When you prioritize prayer, the sacraments, and trust in God’s plan, you become like a tree beside the water, able to endure struggles without withering, able to bear fruit even in the dry seasons.

Examen Question #2: "How am I doing and how do I think my spouse is doing in our marriage?"

Regarding you:

Before you can nurture your marriage, you must take an honest look at your own heart. How have you been showing up in your marriage? Have you been patient, loving, and present? Or have you been distracted, distant, or quick to criticize? Are you bringing joy into your marriage, or have stress and selfishness crept in?

With humility—recognize where you need to grow, seek forgiveness when necessary, and recommit to loving your spouse as Christ loves you. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where you can surrender and more fully live out your vows in love, service, and self-gift.

Regarding your spouse:

It is easy to focus on your own needs in marriage, but love calls you to truly see and serve your spouse. How is your spouse doing emotionally, spiritually, and physically? Are they carrying burdens you haven’t fully recognized or acknowledged? Have you taken time to listen, encourage, and support them? Step outside of your own perspective to lovingly care for your spouse’s heart. Instead of assuming, ask. Instead of judging, seek understanding. Invite God into this reflection, asking Him to help you see your spouse with fresh eyes and a renewed heart of love.

Challenge: Ask your spouse how they are truly doing today: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Listen with full attention and respond with love, support, prayer and encouragement.

LODGE BREAD CHOP SALAD REMAKE

Despite "bread" being in the name of this recipe, there is no bread! I was a bit confused when my daughter shared this with me because I was expecting bread to be somewhere! LODGE BREAD is actually the name of a restaurant in California that serves the original version of this salad. Click the picture or title above to go to the recipe online.

A few quick notes: Don't skip the fresh herbs as they really make this salad pop. We love Dubliner cheese and sub that for the gruyere. Feel free to change the chicken to salmon (blackened is great!) or even a light tuna salad.

INGREDIENTS:

5-6 cups mixed greens, chopped (I used 1 5 oz container of little gems)
1 large cooked chicken breast, diced (thighs or rotisserie chicken work too)
1 15 oz can garbanzo beans, drained
3 oz fontina or gruyere cheese, cut into small cubes
1 small heirloom tomato, diced
1 medium cucumber, diced
1/2 cup Kalamata olives, seeds removed & chopped
1/3 cup fresh dill, chopped
1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Nutritional yeast to top

SHERRY DRESSING:

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons sherry vinegar, red wine vinegar works too
1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

First, make the dressing. Whisk together all the ingredients except the olive oil. Slowly drizzle in the oil while continuing to whisk until fully combined. Set aside.
In a large bowl, add all the ingredients and drizzle the dressing on top. Toss and top with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast to serve.