This is Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. A phrase we have often heard this past year is:“I feel really down.” Perhaps even you have felt this way. No wonder! The coronavirus has had a devastating impact and we have also witnessed tension, violence and lack of unity within our nation and communities. So it is understandable if we have felt down. Yet we find in the Word of God good news of great joy that will not allow us to staydown: Jesusis risen and invites us to rise from fear and find courage in the strength he provides; to risefrom our sinful ways and find new life in his mercy, to rise from despair and discover joy in his power to heal and save us. It all starts when we decideto rise and to walk in the ways of the Lord.