"So Jesus said to them, 'Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you" (St. Matthew 17:20).

"...God gave us the courage to boldly...even though we were surrounded by enemies..." (1 Thessalonians 2:1-3).

Beloved in Christ God fear of imprisonment did not keep Saint Paul from preaching the Good News. When God wants us to do something, He will give us the strength and courage to do it in spite of the obstacles that may come our way.

The Divine Scripture has much to say about the necessity and significance of hope. First, they tell us why we should always hope in our Loving and Merciful God:

Priest: Let us pray to the Lord

People: Lord have mercy.

O Lord Almighty, the Healer of our souls and bodies, You Who put down and raise up, Who chastise and heal also; do You now, in Your great mercy, visit our brother (sister) (Name), who is sick. Stretch forth Your hand that is full of healing and health, and get him (her) up from his (her) bed, and cure him (her) of his (her) illness. Put away from him (her) the spirit of disease and of every malady, pain, and fever to which he (she) is bound; and if he (she) has sins and transgressions, grant to him (her) remission and forgiveness, in that You love mankind; yes, Lord my God, pity Your creation, through the compassions of Your Only-Begotten Son, together with Your All-Holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit, with Whom You are blessed, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.