# The Lord Has Risen Among Us
*2017-04-16*

> Bill Young celebrates Easter by reflecting on Pope Francis’ meditation on the resurrection, the power of faith and hope, and how the risen Christ calls us to witness to all people.

## Easter Joy After Lent

Good afternoon, this is Bill Young. Happy Easter, everyone! The Lord has risen, and we are finishing our Lenten reflections with Pope Francis’s meditation titled “The Lord Has Risen Among Us.” The Scripture reading is Romans 6:9, which reminds us that Christ, raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. Pope Francis says that today our hearts are filled again with the joy of Easter after the season of penance and conversion.

## The Resurrection’s Living Power

We stand before the empty tomb and meditate with wonder and gratitude on the Resurrection. Life has conquered death; mercy and love have conquered sin. The risen Lord leaves an indelible mark on the apostles, who, after receiving the Holy Spirit, set out fiercely to proclaim what they had seen. Christ’s resurrection is not merely a past event; it contains a present, irresistible force that brings new life out of darkness and bears fruit in our lives.

## Faith and Hope as Gifts from God

We need faith and hope to open ourselves to this new horizon. Let us ask God for these gifts: “Lord, grant me faith. Grant me hope. I need them so much.” With faith, hope, and our witness, we can proclaim, “Jesus is risen!” As Lent ends, I ask what experience of new life I most want to carry forward.

## A Call to All Peoples

May everyone hear that our Lord has risen and died for all our sins—not just mine, not just yours, but all of us. This proclamation is for Catholics, Christians, Jews, Muslims, atheists—indeed, for everyone. Let us thank the Lord, praise Jesus, and share this joy.

## Personal Updates and a Young Witness

I’ve reposted our “33 Days in Morning Glory” series; today is day seven. While preparing materials as a coordinator, I discovered a YouTube video of a young girl sharing her day‑seven reflections. She spoke about taking the easy route—why walk when you could fly?—and used that image to illustrate the call to rise above our limitations. I hope her testimony reaches both older and younger listeners and draws many to the joy of the Resurrection.

*The risen Christ invites us to live with renewed faith and hope, proclaiming His victory to every person in the world.*