Song of Songs 3:1-4
Psalm 62(63):2-6,8-9
John 20:1-2,11-18
KEEP THE FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE OF GOD ALIVE IN YOU!
I’ve always found the moment Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene to be fascinating! Imagine this: there stands Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord, right in front of her, yet she mistook him for a gardener who had taken away his body. It’s remarkable! In today’s gospel story, we witness Mary’s deep sorrow as she weeps before the tomb. When the angel asks her what she’s looking for, we see how her grief momentarily blinds her to the incredible truth: Jesus is alive! The Master Gardener—the Creator of every seed, plant, flower, and tree—has risen!
Doesn’t that resonate with us today? How often do we let distress, worries, and fears overshadow the miracles unfolding around us? We sometimes allow our anxieties to cloud our vision of God’s presence in our lives. So, let’s ask ourselves: What are we truly seeking? Are we chasing after fleeting earthly desires, or are we yearning for eternal life? What do we hope to experience when we encounter God in prayer?
Our experience with Jesus should ignite within us a joyful proclamation of the gospel! That Jesus is truly risen. He is alive! He is ready to hear and answer our prayers!
In the resurrection account, Christ calls Mary by name, and that’s a game-changer! Can you imagine her reaction when she realizes it’s Him? Isaiah 49 tells us that our names are graven on the palm of His hand—there’s no way He will forget us! Each name serves as a reminder of His profound love for us. Our names are inscribed in the book of life, a divine promise!
So when life feels overwhelming, when sorrow blinds us, or when things don’t unfold as we envisioned, just listen: hear Him call your name! See your name graven on His palm.
Fr Joseph Osho
