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Hope for New Beginnings

Ordinary Time (Second Section)Humanitarian Aid, Global Solidarity and Displacement Week 35 · Day 7

Scripture References

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Old Testament

Jeremiah 29:4-14

⁴ The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives whom I have caused to be carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon:
⁵ “Build houses and dwell in them. Plant gardens and eat their fruit.
⁶ Take wives and father sons and daughters. Take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters. Multiply there, and don’t be diminished.

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⁷ Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.”
⁸ For the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel says: “Don’t let your prophets who are amongst you and your diviners deceive you. Don’t listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamt.
⁹ For they prophesy falsely to you in my name. I have not sent them,” says the LORD.
¹⁰ For the LORD says, “After seventy years are accomplished for Babylon, I will visit you and perform my good word towards you, in causing you to return to this place.
¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think towards you,” says the LORD, “thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future.
¹² You shall call on me, and you shall go and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
¹³ You shall seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.
¹⁴ I will be found by you,” says the LORD, “and I will turn again your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places where I have driven you,” says the LORD. “I will bring you again to the place from where I caused you to be carried away captive.”

New Testament

Romans 15:4-13

⁴ For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
⁵ Now the God of perseverance and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,
⁶ that with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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⁷ Therefore accept one another, even as Christ also accepted you, to the glory of God.
⁸ Now I say that Christ has been made a servant of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given to the fathers,
⁹ and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will give praise to you amongst the Gentiles and sing to your name.”
¹⁰ Again he says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”
¹¹ Again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Let all the peoples praise him.”
¹² Again, Isaiah says, “There will be the root of Jesse, he who arises to rule over the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles will hope.”
¹³ Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thought for the Day

Jeremiah writes to exiles in Babylon and tells them something surprisingly ordinary: build houses, plant gardens, seek the welfare of the city where you are. Do not live as though your life has been cancelled. And then he speaks the promise that has steadied generations: God has plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

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Paul says that what was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Hope is not wishful thinking. It is sustained by God’s word, and strengthened by patience.

New beginnings for displaced people are rarely instant. They come through paperwork, language learning, friendships, jobs, small routines, and the slow reweaving of trust. A new beginning can be as small as a neighbour’s name spoken kindly. The Christian can honour that slowness. We are pilgrims ourselves, learning to seek the good of where we are, while longing for the country God has promised.

Lord, give hope to those starting again. Provide housing, work, community, and peace. Guard them from despair. And make your Church a place of encouragement: a people who help others plant gardens, find belonging, and believe again that a future is possible.

Prayer Points

Respond

Give hope to displaced people building new lives; provide stability, friendship, and peace.
Bless those seeking work, housing, and legal status; open doors and provide wise advocates.
Protect communities from resentment and fear; grow mutual understanding and patience.

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Make the Church an encouragement: a place where endurance is supported and hope is fed by Scripture.
Teach us to seek the good of the places you send us, living faithfully as pilgrims.

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