There are at least two ways to think of this "hope of the gospel" which we have heard. We may fixate on the "gospel," as the content of the message and the instructions about Jesus/God. Or, we might hear Paul offering us "hope," the hope which is the good news that Jesus came to make known.
Somewhere in the late 1800's there began to be a divide in the family of God. Some wanted to shield themselves against the new sciences and recent discoveries. In order to do so, they began to insist on adherence to content and form. The "good news" became more of an incredible story, too good to be believe, difficult to accept, but which must be embraced if one is to be considered a child of God.
Here, in the opening years of the 21st century, we are beginning to see the dark side of such an approach. The community which bears the name of Jesus lacks his basic attitude of "all are welcome." We have ceased to speak of the great lengths to which God will go in order to affirm that we are loved and cared for. More and more are reclaiming the "hope" which Jesus has for us and the "hope" which calls us forth into a harmonious way of life.
The good news is this hope, made manifest among us and entrusted to those who have the faith to proclaim this hope - even against all the false voices which seek to take our hope away.
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