Alleluia! The Lord Is Risen! Alleluia!!

Easter Tuesday 

Acts 2:36-41
John 20:11-18

Today’s first reading is a continuation of yesterday’s reading. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Peter begins by telling the people how they had put to death the promised Messiah.

As he continued to teach, the people were so moved by his testimony that they believed in his message of Christ as their Risen Lord and Redeemer. That day, we are told, about 3,000 people converted to Christianity. The Holy Spirit can help us as well to herald the gospel message better with joy and zeal if we call upon His name. He will hear and answer our prayers.

I have always found the appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene to be an interesting one. There is Jesus Christ the Risen Lord standing in front of her and she thinks he is a gardener.

Mary Magdalene wept for a while before looking into the grave and when the angel asked her what she was looking for, her grief and sorrow blinded her and kept her from seeing the Greater Picture; that Jesus is alive, the Master Gardener; the creator of every seeds, plants, flowers and trees is risen. Oftentimes, we too allow distress, worries, and deep concerns to blind the miracles before us and around us. We sometimes allow our concern to be the vision of God in our lives.

Isaiah 49 says he has graven our name on the palm of his hand. He will never forget us. Jesus called Mary by her name and she immediately recognized Him. How easy it is to miss the Lord when our focus is on ourselves.

We need to ask ourselves what are we looking for. What are we striving for earthly desires or eternal life? What do you expect to see in your encounter with God at prayers? It is not enough to know about the Lord, but rather to know Him personally in faith and to encounter the living Lord in the people and every event of life. Our encounter with Jesus should make us proclaim the gospel in joy with true freedom.

PRAYER

May the Risen Lord grant us the grace to recognize his presence in our daily encounter with his word and his people. May the Holy season of Easter bring peace and blessings to us all. Amen.

Fr Joseph Osho