KNIGHTS AND LADIES OF MARSHALL – COUNCIL 100 AND COURT 96 LENTEN RETREAT AT ST. BAKHITA CHURCH, COMMUNITY 20 (LASHIBI)
SATURDAY 29TH MARCH, 2025
THEME: PILGRIMS OF HOPE: TIME TO RENEW FAITH, STRENGTHEN HOPE, AND RECOMMIT TO SPIRITUAL LIFE
TALK BY BISHOP JOHN KOBINA LOUIS
OUTLINE
- Introduction
- Pilgrims of Hope
- Renewing Our Faith
- Strengthening Our Hope
- Recommitting to Spiritual Life as Disciples of Christ
- Conclusion
1. INTRODUCTION
As we are aware, Pope Francis has declared this year (2025) as a Jubilee Year with the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope”. We live in a world that often feels uncertain, where faith can be tested and hope can wane. In times like these, it is crucial to remember that we are “Pilgrims of Hope”, journeying towards the fulfilment of God’s eternal promise.
In this retreat, let us reflect on how, as pilgrims, we can renew our faith, strengthen our hope, and recommit ourselves to the spirituality of true disciples of Christ.
2. PILGRIMS OF HOPE
Pilgrimage has long been a cherished tradition in the Catholic faith, signifying our spiritual journey towards God. The term pilgrim refers to a person who embarks on a journey, often of spiritual significance. As Christians, we are all pilgrims in this world, travelling towards the heavenly kingdom (cf. Heb 13:14; Phil 3:20). As “Pilgrims of Hope”, we are called to journey, reflecting on God’s enduring presence throughout our personal lives.
In Scriptures, we find many examples of pilgrims who journeyed with hope. Abram (later called, Abraham), for instance, was called to leave his homeland and journey to a new land, of which he had no knowledge (cf. Heb. 11:8). However, trusting in God’s promise that he would become the father of a great nation, he journeyed with hope to the promised land (cf. Gen 12:1-7). Similarly, the Israelites journeyed from Egypt through the wilderness, sustained by the hope of entering the Promised Land (cf. Ex. 13:17-22).
Abraham and others journeyed, not so much with the interest of inheriting an earthly homeland, but with the desire of ultimately arriving in heavenly city. Thus, we read from the Letter to the Hebrews: “By faith he [Abraham] stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” (Heb. 11:9-10). Therefore, like these biblical pilgrims, our own journey is not about reaching a physical destination but about the transformation of life that occurs along the way to heaven.
In other words, God has so created us such that our whole life is a journey of transformation which finds completion or perfection only in His eternal presence. Hence, St. Augustine of Hippo when He was experiencing this transformation would express it thus: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” This restlessness is a sign of our inner desire for God, and hope in His promise of eternal life guides us towards Him.
Our hope, then, is not in worldly things but in God’s eternal promise. Therefore, as “Pilgrims of Hope”, let us stay focused on our destination: the eternal presence of God. We may face struggles, doubts, and distractions along the way, but we are not alone. The Holy Spirit is our sure guide (cf. John 16:12-13), and Christ Himself is our abiding companion (cf. Matt. 28:20).
On the practical level, your Council and Court (and where necessary, in collaboration with other Councils and Courts) could organize group pilgrimages to grottoes and basilicas (in Ghana, Africa or abroad) to foster a collective sense of journeying towards the heavenly kingdom. Such sacred sites are like transit ports to the ultimate heavenly destination.
3. RENEWING OUR FAITH
Faith, according to the Letter to the Hebrews, “is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). An example of the first part of this definition is the promise of heavenly life. That is, we hope to be in heaven in the future, because faith assures us. Secondly, we don’t see God; it is faith that gives us the conviction that He exists. Faith, then, is the foundation of our pilgrimage to heaven.
What, then, does it mean to renew our faith? It may be instructive to briefly compare and contrast the renewal of faith with that of a driver’s license or an insurance. In the latter case, renewal means restoring the validity of the license or insurance for a specified period. The renewal of faith entails more than the restoration of our faith. This is because, faith is like a living organism (e.g., a plant, an animal, etc.). So, renewing our faith entails also growing or developing it. And as growth involves transformation, so the renewal of faith consists of a constant transformation of our minds and hearts to conform to God’s will. Thus, St. Paul exhorts us: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2).
How do we renew our faith? Firstly, an admonition of St. Paul is helpful here: “how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in One of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim Him? … So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:14,17). Therefore, by immersing ourselves in God’s Word, we can renew our faith and experience the transformative power of His love.
Secondly, faith can be renewed by deepening our prayer life. Let us, therefore, rediscover the power of prayer, especially, in our quiet time. We find an instance of the renewal of faith through prayer in the Gospels. A father seeking healing for his son cried to Jesus for increase in his faith: “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). This heartfelt prayer resonates with many of us. There are moments when our faith feels weak, doubts creep in, or life’s trials shake our trust in God. Like that father, such moments should not lead us to despair but to pray the more.
Thirdly, our faith is renewed when we encounter Jesus Christ in the sacraments. Consider the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus (cf. Luke 24:13-35). They were disillusioned, and their faith was shaken after His crucifixion. Yet, as the risen Jesus (whom they initially thought was a stranger) broke bread with them, “their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him.” That’s what renewal looks like: an encounter with Jesus that reignites our trust in Him. So, let’s ask ourselves: Has my faith grown cold? If it has, how can I, like the two disciples to Emmaus, invite Jesus to breathe new life into it?
For the Noble Order, leadership should continue to organize talks and retreats to deepen our understanding of Scripture, Church doctrine, and the Sacraments, fostering a renewed faith rooted in knowledge. Also, leadership should give adequate space for prayers at meetings and encourage the regular reception of Holy Communion, Eucharistic adoration and confession to enable members to reconnect with Christ.
4. STRENGTHENING OUR HOPE
Hope is the anchor of our souls, providing stability amid the storms of life (cf. Heb. 6:19). Our hope is not based on circumstances but on the unchanging promises of God. In the midst of troubles, Jesus assures us: “In the world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Hope sustains us during times of abandonment and opens our hearts to eternal beatitude. As the prophet wrote, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isa. 40:31). Therefore, “let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23).
In times of despair, hope reminds us that God is always with us, even when we feel abandoned. The hopeful attitude of St. Paul in the midst of constant trials should strengthen us: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38-39).
How do we build such muscle of hope? We must fix our eyes on the promise of eternal life, remembering God’s past faithfulness in our lives and in salvation history, reflecting on the lives of saints who lived with unwavering hope despite adversity, and standing together as a community. Thus, St. Paul exhorts us: “hope does not disappoint because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 5:5). So let’s hold fast to that love which is our strength.
The Noble Order should support members in overcoming adversity through faith, reinforcing hope as a virtue sustained by trust in God. Also, you should continue with your outreach charity programmes to give hope to the poor and needy.
5. RECOMMITTING TO SPIRITUAL LIFE AS DISCIPLES OF CHRIST
Our Lord Jesus Christ invites us: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). This is the heart of discipleship— a call to give up our selfish desires and take up the cross everyday to follow Christ evermore closely.
Discipleship, therefore, is a daily commitment to follow in Christ’s footsteps, embracing the joys and sacrifices of the Christian life. Recommitting to spiritual life involves a conscious decision to live out our faith in daily actions. It is not merely about knowing the teachings of Christ but about living them. This means loving our neighbours, forgiving those who hurt us, and seeking justice for others, especially the vulnerable.
Furthermore, holiness is at the core of our spiritual life. In this regard, St. Paul urges: “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Rom. 12:1). This entails embracing a high moral standard, as well as prioritizing prayer, acts of charity and penance.
As Marshallans, you are called to be a family of disciples, united in the mission of bringing Christ’s love to the world. Also, you are to collaborate with other church societies to promote Christ’s mission.
6. CONCLUSION
To conclude, let us remember that “hope does not disappoint because [of] God’s love” (Rom. 5:5). May we walk together as a community of faith, drawing closer to God and one another in hope and love. Let us steadfastly hold to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful (cf. Heb. 10:23). As we journey on, may our faith be renewed, our hope strengthened, and our commitment to spiritual life deepened.
Finally, I wish to leave you with these words of St. Paul for your further reflection: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13).
