Jesus said to her, “Mary!”

john 20:16

John 20:11-18

Reflection

Mary Magdalene sits weeping outside Jesus’ tomb. When she looks inside, two angels are there, asking why she is crying. Mary then turns around and sees Jesus, but thinking he is the gardener, asks where he took Jesus’ body. Jesus then calls her name, and she recognizes him as the Lord. He tells her to go to the disciples, and she tells them these events.

Sometimes we are like Mary, searching for Jesus and crying in sadness and frustration. Like her, we might see him but fail to recognize our Lord until he calls our name. In those moments, we realize he has been with us the whole time; we have been blind to his presence.

How do you encounter Jesus daily? Are you actively looking for him and incorporating him into your day? Do you recognize him and his presence easily, or do you first need to take some spiritual blinders off? Jesus is always with us. We only have to turn to see him, and then he is fully revealed.

Ask the Lord to reveal himself to you daily, in various ways. Pray for the grace to always recognize him, even in your own blindness and the most unexpected of circumstances.

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Saint of the Day

St. Alexander: died AD 178

St. Alexander was a Christian during the second century who was known for his defense of the faith and virtuous life. He was eventually tortured and beheaded during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. St. Alexander, pray for us!