Easter Means Hope Exists

What does it mean to say that “Jesus is risen?” A translation, perhaps adapted especially

for non-believers could be, “hope exists.”


If we look deeply beneath all of our disordered desires, our brokenness and our selfish

concerns what we discover ultimately is the hope that there exists unconditional love. Not only

that unconditional love exists but that it is eternal and does not end after this life. The Easter

proclamation that “Jesus Christ is risen” fulfills this hope deep within us.


In many of the Resurrection accounts in the New Testament those to whom Jesus appears

to are often found afraid (Mt 28:5), amazed (Mk16:5), seized with trembling and bewilderment

(Mk 16:8), terrified (Lk:24:5), downcast (Lk 24:17), near despair (Lk 24:21), weeping (Jn 20:15)

and lacking in faith (20:25).


After their encounter with the Risen Lord they are all transformed from within because

the ultimate hope of their souls is confirmed. Unconditional love exists and has blasted through

space and time and is available to us for all eternity. How can one not be overwhelmed with joy

at such good news?

God bless you,
Fr. Jeremiah Myriam Shryock CFR

St. Felix Friary, Yonkers, NY