Pope Francis and the power of the resurrection

In his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium Pope Francis uses the expression, “power of the resurrection” to refer to new beginnings, to new life, which is “the mysterious working of the risen Christ and his Spirit” (275-280).

He believes that this power “permeates the world”… and “is an irresistible force.” Even in the situation of “persistent injustice, evil, indifference and cruelty… in the midst of darkness something new always springs to life and sooner or later produces fruit.” He refers to this “something new” as “goodness”, “beauty”, and “values”. He ascribes to the evangelizers “as instruments of that power” of the resurrection (276).

Pope Francis stresses that all the above is the work of the Holy Spirit. “And so we need to invoke the Spirit constantly… The Holy Spirit knows well what is needed in every time and place” (280).