Reflection - Optimism

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040119.cfm
Isaiah 65:17-21
John 4:43-54

If I remember my Baltimore Catechism correctly, the four cardinal virtues are Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance. There is, I’m sure, appropriate justification for this selection, though I did not bother to research the matter. Rather, I was somewhat disappointed to be reminded that Optimism is not on that list of four. Moreover, Optimism is not even listed as one of the virtues related to the four as Religion, Piety and Gratitude are related to Justice or as Continence, Humility and Meekness are related to Temperance. So what’s so sticky about this wicket?

It’s really a simple matter. I consider myself to be an optimistic person. I will sometimes draw to an inside straight; a deficit of twenty points with a mere three minutes left in the game is not a cause for me to despair; the overcast of morning clouds is not necessarily a harbinger of a dreary afternoon. As I said: I consider myself to be an optimistic person; and I was hoping that I might consequently possess at least one of the major virtues. After all, it was the text from Isaiah which brought the subject to my attention.

I read his words and was immediately encouraged by the very thought of a new heaven and a new earth. The details only fueled my optimism.

Things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind.
There shall always be rejoicing and happiness.
No longer shall the sound of weeping be heard there, or the sound of crying.
They shall live in the houses they build.
They shall eat the fruit of the vineyards they plant.

The dismal news we hear every day which repeats itself ad nauseam with a simple change of characters, locations, and circumstances is easily the fertile soil in which anxiety, hopelessness, despair and pessimism can thrive. Maybe the circumstances of our own lives are sufficient to fertilize such attitudes and feelings. My own optimism does not extend to the pinnacle of the optimistic outlook, however. Clearly this is not the best of all possible worlds. But then, it’s not the worst either.

I doubt that the father in the gospel would agree with me as he journeyed from Capernaum. After all, what world could be worse than one in which your child dies? Still, he made the journey, and one has to wonder what was in his heart? Was he filled with optimism now that the miracle healer had come into the region? Was this man the key that could unlock the chains of illness? Optimistically he pursues him. If only? If only? If only? “Come down” he pleads. “Come down” from Cana to Capernaum, he begs. “Come down and heal [my] son.”

But the bubble of optimism must have burst with Jesus reply: “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe." After such a statement, no sentiment or philosophy of optimism could sustain him as he made the dusty journey home. Yet, he was fortified by something from that encounter with Jesus and it had to have been more than a positive outlook or an optimistic attitude. Such persuasions are transient and unrealistic even for those who possess them.

The return journey the father made from Cana to Capernaum was one strengthened by faith and hope. Only these can account for the words of the servants who unknowingly repeated the words of Jesus: "Your son will live!"

Isaiah’s formulation of the Lord’s word, his attempt to verbalize a discernment of the future, is not born of wishful thinking or pious optimism. Rather it is an attempt to put into words what the Spirit has made known. For that very reason it is inappropriate to approach them with the fanciful mind-set of optimism. Optimism should be reserved for Inside straights, twenty point deficits and morning clouds. Isaiah’s vision need be approached like the father’s vision as he retraced his steps: with hope and faith. It’s not enough to see the new heaven and the new earth through the lens of optimism. As we journey home we must strengthen our grasp of God’s promise, and be firmly grounded in the reality he shows. Faith and Hope! These indeed are virtues and they even take precedence over the four mentioned in the beginning.