a) What is hope?
Hope is the virtue by which we firmly trust that God, who is all-powerful and faithful to his promises, will in his mercy give us eternal happiness and the means to obtain it.
So far as God’s part is concerned, our salvation is certain. He is a loving Father who waits for us his children in heaven. It is only our part—our cooperation or non-cooperation with God’s grace—that is uncertain.
b) Why should Altar Servers live the virtue of hope?
It is this confidence that we have in God’s goodness and power and fidelity that makes bearable the hardships of life. Sometimes it is difficult to do good, but the assurance of our final victory—to be with God in heaven—gives us the needed strength and courage to hold on.
No one loses heaven except by one’s own fault. Altar Servers should actively help others live a Christian life here on earth, with the realistic hope of reaching heaven afterwards.