Embracing Hope in Christ
Just A Minute Meditations
Kris Frank
ISBN 9780819827685
eISBN 9780819827692
ASIN B0FQSRY7KY
I have picked up a few volumes in this series over the years but had not got around to reading any of them yet. As of the writing of this review there are 7 volumes in the series, 4 authors with Sister Kathryn having penned 4 of the volumes. I have four of them on my Kindle purchased over the last year and a bit. But while researching for this review I have found out, at least a few of the volumes are a rebranding of volumes published 8 years ago under the titles “Mediations for …”
The description of this edition states:
“Embrace the hope of Christ in all of life’s circumstances with help from this pocket-sized booklet, featuring thirty Scripture passages, reflections, and prayers. This approachable guide will help you open your heart to hope, inspire growth in virtue, and illuminate dark moments with the light of the Risen Christ. Embracing Hope in Christ is part of the Just a Minute Meditations series, a collection of themed meditation booklets to help you pray through the challenges of life.”
Another current description is:
“Embrace the hope of Christ in all of life’s circumstances with help from this pocket-sized booklet, featuring thirty Scripture passages, reflections, and prayers. This approachable prayer guide will help you open your heart to hope, inspire growth in virtue, and illuminate dark moments with the light of the Risen Christ.
Embracing Hope in Christ is part of the Just a Minute Meditations series from Pauline Books & Media, a collection of themed meditation booklets to help you pray through the challenges of life.”
About the author we are informed:
“Kris Frank graduated from Franciscan University with a degree in catechetics and theology with a concentration in youth ministry. With over ten years of parish youth ministry experience, Kris and his family now live as missionaries serving the poor and inner-city youth with Vagabond Missions. Kris has been privileged to travel frequently to share the Gospel with teens and young adults at various parishes, camps, and conferences. Kris spends his free time with his beautiful wife, Grace, and their five children.”
The chapters in this volume are:
Introduction
1. Why Bother to Hope?
2. Hope in God’s Promise
3. Hope in Jesus
4. God Has Plans for You
5. Doubt and Hope
6. Gift of Hope
7. Hope for the Anxious
8. Trusting Hope
9. Steadfast Hope
10. Sacrament of Hope
11. Hope amid Discouragement
12. Hope for the Weary
13. Hope’s Invitation
14. Resting in Hope
15. Empowered by Hope
16. Hope in Suffering
17. The Cross and Hope
18. Hope in Grief
19. Resurrecting Hope
20. Hope for the Lonely
21. Hope for the Sinner
22. Hope for Hurting Families
23. Hope in Addiction
24. Hope and Holy Friendships
25. Hope and Attachments
26. Hope and Generosity
27. Hope and the Church
28. Sharing Hope
29. Source of Hope
30. Hope’s Fulfillment
Prayers
The prayers in a section at the end of the book are:
Psalm 62
Psalm 121
Act of Hope
Act of Faith, Hope, and Love
Prayer of Hope
Help Me to Have Perfect Trust
God Alone Suffices
A Commendation to the Providence of God
Unfailing Prayer for Hope
A Prayer When Feeling Depressed
You Carry Us, Lord
To Jesus for Protection
I highlighted a few passages while working through this volume, they are:
“Hope is not tethered to what is happening in our lives or the world. Nor is it a false optimism or faulty coping mechanism that turns a blind eye to the difficult circumstances surrounding us. Instead, hope is a theological virtue that allows us to look to heaven as the source of happiness and lean into God’s grace and strength to sustain us. Simply put, true hope is based on the presence and promise of God.
“This short book could easily be read in a day, but I’d caution against it. Reflections can only take you so far. It is in prayer that God can replenish our weary hearts. Each meditation has been crafted to serve as a springboard into a meaningful moment of prayer where we can bring our entire selves—the good, the bad, and the ugly—to our Lord.”
“Turning our hearts to Jesus soothes our deepest longings and unwaveringly renews our hope. God’s ceaseless love and constant presence offer us a profound sweetness that remains steady and comforting when various troubles arise.”
“Lord, ignite my hope in you. Help me to recognize your presence so that my confidence may stand unwavering, resilient against life’s challenges and uncertainties.”
“Highlight(orange) - Page 7 · Location 141
Our hope is steadfast, grounded, and sure because it is rooted in the immutable promise and oath of our God (see Heb 6: 17–19).”
“Hope isn’t a one-time choice. It’s a virtue that must be cultivated with God’s grace each day. Choosing hope doesn’t mean we’ll never feel overwhelmed again. There’s no way around discouraging situations.”
“If you have questions and uncertainties concerning the faith, search for answers! Look in the Catechism, read the Bible, ask a fellow Catholic you trust, or search for a faithful Catholic website. If you’re willing to look, you’ll find an answer.”
“After he created the world, God rested on the seventh day. Of course, our omnipresent, omnipotent God didn’t get tired after six days of work; that would go against his nature. Instead, God was giving us an example to follow for our good. We weren’t created to work constantly. We need rest.”
“While some religions focus on how humans must labor to reach the heights of God, Christianity reveals a God who comes to us. Jesus meets us on our level, in our humanity. Our faith relies not on what we do, but on what Christ has already done. Christ offers us a lasting rest, peace, and wholeness for our bodies and souls that will permeate every aspect of our lives. We find rest and hope when we turn to God in prayer, trusting that he will help us move forward with his grace, even when it feels like we aren’t moving at all.”
“If we are tired and worn out and find that our schedule is imbalanced, we can rest assured that we are being invited to rest with our God.”
“However, hope emerges as a beacon in our darkest moments, reminding us of the truth that even amid our feelings of loneliness, God remains near and attentive to our afflictions. When others appear distant and uninterested, unaware of our silent suffering, the assurance of God’s continuous presence offers a sense of consolation that is a balm to a lonely heart.”
“Saint John Paul II once said, “We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father’s love for us and our real capacity to become the image of his Son.””
“Lord, lead me and my family along the way of your salvation. Purify us through the sacrifice of your Cross and redeem us.”
“We don’t hesitate to share our favorite movies, songs, or books with others. Sharing our hope in Jesus is far more important. Hope lives in the Church, and God calls us to share this Good News.”
“As followers of Christ, we place our hope in Jesus, knowing that for us he has opened the gates of heaven. There, every desire and yearning within us will be satisfied, every hurt and wound healed and purified. Ironically, in heaven, one thing we won’t have is the virtue of hope. The virtue is realized and completed in eternal life with Christ.”
A sample day is:
“13 Hope’s Invitation
A sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labors as God did from his.
Hebrews 4:9–10
After he created the world, God rested on the seventh day. Of course, our omnipresent, omnipotent God didn’t get tired after six days of work; that would go against his nature. Instead, God was giving us an example to follow for our good. We weren’t created to work constantly. We need rest. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “The institution of the Lord’s Day helps everyone enjoy adequate rest and leisure to cultivate their familial, cultural, social, and religious lives” (2184). Adding rest to our schedule might seem like just another thing on our ever-growing to-do list. And leisure may seem like the opposite of productivity. But moments of prayer, time with friends, and hobbies are usually what we need most in order to find rest and hope.
Make no mistake, Jesus does call us to do great things for his kingdom. But our work is most efficacious when it comes from a heart at rest in God. Like a child in the loving arms of a parent, we can find comfort and respite in the Lord. Psalm 62 tells us,
My soul rests in God alone,
from whom comes my salvation (62:2 NABRE).
The natural byproduct of placing our hope in God is rest. With our gaze on God, all that wearies us will be put into perspective.
Lord Jesus, help me to take time to rest. Let my hope in you reassure me that you will take care of my needs.”
I hope those quotes and sample day give you a feel for this book, and I believe the series. This was a worthwhile volume to read and pray through over a month. I benefitted from it, a couple of the days I ended up reading more than once. It is an easy volume to engage with, and you will benefit based on how much effort you put in. It would be a great book and series for teens, young adults and us older adults as well.
It is a good book and start to what looks like a great series. I can easily recommend it.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan!
Books in the Just A Minute Meditations Series:
Embracing Hope in Christ – Kris Frank
Finding God In Times of Depression – Kathryn J. Hermes
Finding Inner Peace – Kathryn J. Hermes
Grieving with Christ – Mary Leonorr Wilson
Growing in Self Esteem - Marie Paul Curley
Healing After Betrayal – Kathryn J. Hermes
Trusting in God’s Love – Kathryn J. Hermes
