Home Retreat: 'Hope v. Optimism: Trusty Beacon or Wrecker’s Lantern?’ by Fr Philip

Nothing, it is said, succeeds like success. Failing that, a euphoric  ‘feel-good factor’ is the salesman’s staunch friend in loosening purse-strings and skewing judgement. The theological virtue of hope, however, cannot be confused with mere human optimism. What might the Word of God offer us to help distinguish between these two ‘non-siblings?’