At today's General Audience, Pope Francis continued his weekly catechesis on hope, looking now to the Risen Jesus as a symbol of Christianity.
He explained that Jesus' 'resurrection is the event that grounds our faithâ?, proving that Christ himself is not 'simply another great religious figure.â? Rather, it is he who 'dwells in our midstâ?, and 'is the reason for our Easter joy.â?
The Holy Father also said that 'encountering Christ is always a surprise; it's a grace given to those whose hearts are openâ?, which opens one to a future of light instead of darkness.
EXCERPTS FROM THE POPE'S HOMILY IN ENGLISH
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
In these joyful days of Easter, our continuing catechesis on Christian hope looks to the Risen Jesus. Saint Paul tells the Corinthians that Jesus himself is our hope. His resurrection is the event that grounds our faith; without our confident belief in its historical reality, the Christian faith would be a mere human philosophy, and Jesus himself simply another great religious figure.
Our belief is based on the testimony of those who encountered the Risen Christ, from Saint Peter and the group of the Twelve to Saint Paul, who was converted by his dramatic meeting with the Lord on the road to Damascus. Encountering Christ in faith is always a surprise; it is a grace given to those whose hearts are open. It overturns our comfortable existence and opens us to an unexpected future, sowing life and light in place of death and sorrow. This is the reason for our Easter joy: in the risen Jesus, who dwells in our midst, we encounter the power of Godâ??s love, which triumphs over death and brings ever new life and undying hope.
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in todayâ??s Audience, particularly the groups from England, Sweden, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Canada and the United States of America. I offer a particular greeting to the newly-ordained deacons from the Pontifical Irish College, together with families and friends. In the joy of the Risen Christ, I invoke upon you and your families the loving mercy of God our Father. May the Lord bless you all.
