The Power of Hope

Web Posted: September 14, 2004

In part, Jonathan Safran Foer’s 2002 novel, Everything is Illuminated, tells the story of the residents of an 18th century Ukrainian village. One scene describes a statue placed in the town’s mill that becomes a talisman for the people of the village: they go to it with hopes and prayers, large and small. Villagers touch the statue so much during their visits over the years that the statue is often in need of repair, and each repair leaves the features of the statue somewhat altered. Safran writes of the statue: “He was a changing god, destroyed and recreated by his believers, destroyed and recreated by their belief.”

Hope is such a powerful force! Walking across campus, especially at the beginning of each semester, the feelings of hope and optimism are often palpable, aren’t they? Think about how many different “hopes” walk around the campus every day. Hope for a good grade. Hope for a successful research project. Hope for people met in service. Hope to make new friends. Hope for a win in the big game. Hope for a great job after graduation.

Some students share their hopes with us—in papers, applications, interviews. Some hopes are communal, shared by many; some are unique and privately held. Some we can guess, such as the hope of being recognized for our best elements, the hope of doing well. Some hopes are borne out of deep fears and vulnerabilities, such as the hope of meeting expectations.

During Mission Week, we are called to reflect on how we live out the Marquette University Mission, how we give tangible expression to Excellence, Faith, Leadership and Service. Sometimes, these pillars of the Mission might appear static, and not open to change. Yet, as I consider the notion of the statue in the mill, destroyed and recreated by belief and believers, I am struck by the image of community hopes and prayers transforming a beloved community symbol. Isn’t this transformation what our Mission, with our commitment to each student, calls us to as well? Our community, grounded in our Ignatian vision and our particular mission, is committed to listening for and nurturing these hopes, to honoring these dreams, and to being open to change and re-creation because of them.

As we celebrate “Hope & Freedom” during Mission Week, how do we let these hopes express themselves? Are we open to sit and listen to our students—to find out about their hopes for themselves and their world? Are we open to change based on those hopes?