Advent: Sharing Stories of Hope, Part 2

Cannonball Moments book by Eric A. Clayton (pictured)

In part one of this series, Advent: Sharing Stories of Hope, I wrote about how storytelling is a way of sharing our values (that which is most important to us) and how hope is a virtue that we highlight during the Advent season. Advent reminds us that we are to be a people of hope year-round, each and every day. We are to be people who carry and exude a confident and joyful anticipation of good things to come, especially for those experiencing darkness and despair. Hope is a disposition—an attitude—that refuses to allow despair to get the upper hand.

In his wonderful book, Cannonball Moments: Telling Your Story, Deepening Your Faith, author Eric Clayton reminds us that it is the responsibility of Christians to share stories of hope, especially when drawing attention to people in need (which we tend to do during the holiday season). He tells us that the stories we share about those in need are invitations to enter into solidarity with them. Clayton warns us not to over-emphasize the more sensational details of their plight, which can serve only to distance us from those we wish to help and cause us and others to respond with despair instead of true hope. Rather than share stories that are “action inhibitors,” Clayton encourages us to share stories that are “action motivators,” stories that rouse emotions like “urgency, righteous anger, solidarity, and hope.”

During this Advent season, as we deepen our own commitment to those in need and invite others to come to their aid, may the stories we share help to build connections between people, tear down walls of separation, “pull us out of ourselves and remind us that we can make a meaningful difference.” (Clayton)

About Joe Paprocki 2742 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*