# Jesus’ Presence Brings Hope – Advent Week 1
*2016-11-30*

> Bill Young reflects on Pope Francis’ Advent message that Jesus’ presence gives hope, shares personal stories of Cuban families, and offers a prayer to Our Lady of Graces for freedom and suffrage in Cuba.

## Advent Theme: Jesus’ Presence Brings Hope

The first Thursday of Advent focuses on the theme “Jesus’ presence brings us hope.” Pope Francis reminds us that those who fear the Lord hope for lasting joy and mercy. He says Jesus awakens great hope especially in the simple, the humble, the poor, and the forgotten. He bends down to hear our suffering, offering the face of God’s mercy. Jesus is both King and friend, walking with us so that we are never alone, even in the most difficult moments.

## Cuban Stories of Hope and Suffering

Bill relates recent demonstrations in Little Havana calling for change in Cuba. His wife’s family fled after the Revolution, losing businesses and freedom. One uncle escaped a firing squad thanks to a childhood friend; another family patriarch went from a prosperous grocery store to cutting sugar cane in South Florida, eventually rebuilding his life. These stories illustrate the longing for true freedom, voting rights, and basic human dignity that many Cubans still lack.

## Why Freedom Matters

Cuba’s free health care and education are often praised, but Bill points out the hidden costs: patients must bring their own bedding and medicine; teachers must fetch water for classrooms. Moreover, Cubans lack freedom of assembly, the right to vote, and the ability to express dissent. Bill contrasts this with the liberties enjoyed in the United States and much of the West, emphasizing that true hope includes the ability to participate fully in civic life.

## Prayer to Our Lady of Graces for Cuba

Bill leads a petition to Our Lady of Graces, asking that the Cuban people receive the basic rights we cherish—suffrage, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, religious liberty, and the right to defend themselves. The prayer includes traditional Marian invocations:

“O heavenly treasure of all graces, Mother of God, Mary, first‑born daughter of the Eternal Father, have mercy on my soul and grant the graces I ask. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee…

…Holy Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

Bill concludes by invoking the Holy Queen, asking that Mary intercede for the Cuban people’s freedom.

## Living the Hope of Advent

Bill encourages listeners to let Jesus’ presence fill them with hope, not to be discouraged by worldly troubles. By praying for those suffering in Cuba and embracing the Advent call to bring light into darkness, we become bearers of hope to the world.

*Jesus’ presence gives us hope that can transform personal suffering into a prayerful call for freedom and dignity for all.*