Listening to young people in Taizé and elsewhere[1], many of whom are confronted with harsh realities in their everyday life, I ask myself how they find the strength to carry on. The question becomes even more pressing when they are living in war zones.

Where do their resilience and perseverance in seemingly impossible situations come from? It became clear to me, as I listened, that trust in God enables people of faith to nurture a hope. And through the Resurrection of Jesus, a certainty grows that death will not have the last word.

Trust in the Resurrection gives hope that the weariness of life is not the final point. We are called to something more. It is this hope that young people wanted to share with me, a hope that is beyond all hope because it counts on new life to arise when all seems lost[2].

Mary sang in her cry of praise and hope: “With the strength of his arm, God scatters the proud. God casts down the mighty from their thrones and lifts up the lowly. God fills the hungry with good things and sends the rich away empty-handed.” (Luke 1:51-53) Yes, let us dare to sing with her and to pray for situations to change. Even when God seems silent, a path may suddenly open up[3].

At the same time, let us do what we can, even when it may not seem much, to express signs of solidarity with people in distress around us, or who are caught up in war or forced to leave their country. Is it not this that will enable us to hope beyond all hope?

The reflections that follow come in large part from the meetings and conversations with young people living in countries at war or zones of conflict over the last year. I am full of gratitude towards those who shared their experiences and thoughts and also to our youngest brothers whose careful counsel put everything in order.