Mary went and announced to the disciples,
“I have seen the Lord,”
and then reported what He had told her.
(John 20:18)
Jesus reveals Himself to those who seek Him, regardless of their status. Sometimes we may not recognize Jesus’ work in our lives until we have a personal encounter with Him. Even in our deepest sorrows, the resurrection of Jesus can bring life-changing hope. Let us seek Jesus honestly, diligently, personally, and obediently in our lives and share our experiences of Jesus with others.
11 Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. 13 And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. 17 Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he had told her. (John 20:11-18)
In the quiet corners of our hearts, where faith resides, Jesus reveals Himself to those who seek, where His love abides. Regardless of status, high or low, in His eyes we're the same, in every personal encounter, He calls us by name. Sometimes His work in our lives, we may not see until we meet Him personally, and let our hearts be free. Even in our deepest sorrows, when hope seems far away, the resurrection of Jesus brings a new day. Life-changing hope, a beacon bright, guiding us through the darkest night. Let us seek Jesus, in all we do, honestly, diligently, personally, true. Obediently walking in His ways, sharing our experiences of His grace with others around us, let us share, the love of Jesus, beyond compare.
Dear Lord Jesus, we come before You, acknowledging that You reveal Yourself to those who seek You, regardless of their status. We confess that sometimes we may not recognize Your work in our lives until we have a personal encounter with You. In our deepest sorrows, we are reminded that the resurrection brings life-changing hope. Help us to seek You honestly, diligently, personally, and obediently in our lives. As we experience Your love and grace, guide us to share these experiences with others, spreading Your love and light in the world. In Your precious name, we pray. Amen.
Repentance literally means a change of mind and leads to a change in behavior. It is a turning away from a life lived in contradiction to God and a turning to Him in faith. The gift of the Holy Spirit is promised to those who repent and are baptized. Baptism is a response to the message of Jesus, symbolizing our identification with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. These lessons remind us of the transformative power of faith, the importance of repentance, and the role of community in our Christian journey.
36 On the day of Pentecost, Peter said to the Jewish people, “Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other Apostles, “What are we to do, my brothers?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.” 40 He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day. (Acts 2:36-41)
In the heart's quiet chambers, a change begins to bind, repentance, a whisper, a shift in the mind. From paths of contradiction, we turn away to face our Creator, in His light, we stay. A life once lived in shadows, now bathed in His grace, turning to Him in faith, we find our place. The Holy Spirit promised, a gift so divine to those who repent, in His love, they'll shine. Baptism, a response, to His holy decree symbolizing our bond with His death, for you and me. In the water's gentle embrace, we're reborn anew, echoing His resurrection, in faith, we pursue. The transformative power of faith, a beacon so bright, guiding us through darkness, into His light. Repentance, a journey, of the soul's deep yearning, a lesson of importance, in our Christian journey's turning. In the tapestry of believers, threads woven so fine, the role of community, in His design. Together we journey, in His love, we partake, these lessons remind us, of the path we make.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today with humble hearts. We acknowledge that repentance is more than just words, but a change of mind that leads to a change in behavior. Help us to turn away from a life lived in contradiction to You and guide us to turn to You in faith. We thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, promised to those who repent and are baptized. As we respond to the message of Jesus, let our baptism symbolize our identification with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Remind us of the transformative power of faith, the importance of repentance, and the role of community in our Christian journey. May we grow in faith, continually repenting and turning to You, and may we find strength and support in our Christian community. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
The word of the Lord is right and true, and He is faithful in all He does. He loves righteousness and justice, and the earth is full of His unfailing love. The wonders of God’s creation are a testament to His omnipotence and love. God knows our every need and is always watching over us. He is in control and uses His power to protect us. Let us trust in God’s providence and unfailing love, faithfulness, righteousness, omnipotence, sovereignty, omniscience, and the salvation and hope He provides.
4 Upright is the word of the Lord, and all his works are trustworthy. 5 He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full. 18 See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, 19 to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. 20 Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield. 22 May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our hope in you. (Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22)
In the realm of the Divine, where truth and right reside, the word of the Lord echoes, a faithful guide. In all He does, His faithfulness shines bright, a beacon in the darkness, our guiding light. He loves righteousness and justice, pure and true, the earth is a testament, bathed in His love's hue. The wonders of creation, a testament to His might, His omnipotence and love, a glorious sight. He knows our every need, sees our every tear, always watching over us, His presence ever near. In control, He wields His power, a protective hand, guiding us, protecting us, across life's shifting sand. Let us trust in His providence, His love unfailing, in His faithfulness, righteousness, His grace prevailing. In His omnipotence, sovereignty, and wisdom divine, in the salvation and hope He provides, let our lives align.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You, acknowledging that Your word is right and true. You are faithful in all You do, and Your love for righteousness and justice fills the earth. We marvel at the wonders of Your creation, a testament to Your omnipotence and love. You know our every need, and Your watchful eyes are always upon us. You are in control, using Your power to protect us. We place our trust in Your providence and unfailing love. We recognize Your faithfulness, Your righteousness, and Your omnipotence. We submit to Your sovereignty, acknowledging Your omniscience. We are grateful for the salvation and hope You provide. Help us to trust in You more each day, to rely on Your providence, and to rest in Your unfailing love. May we grow in faith, righteousness, and hope as we journey with You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
Gospel
III: The Book of Glory
THE APPEARANCE TO MARY OF MAGDALA
John 20:11-18
First Reading
II: The Mission in Jerusalem
PETER'S SPEECH AT PENTECOST
Acts 2:14-41
Responsorial Psalm
First Book of Psalms 1-41
PRAISE OF GOD'S POWER AND PROVIDENCE
Psalm 33:1-22
