First reading Acts 2:36-41
You must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus
On the day of Pentecost, Peter spoke to the Jews: ‘The whole House of Israel can be certain that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.’
Hearing this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the apostles, ‘What must we do, brothers?’ ‘You must repent,’ Peter answered ‘and every one of you must be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise that was made is for you and your children, and for all those who are far away, for all those whom the Lord our God will call to himself.’ He spoke to them for a long time using many arguments, and he urged them, ‘Save yourselves from this perverse generation.’ They were convinced by his arguments, and they accepted what he said and were baptised. That very day about three thousand were added to their number.
Responsorial Psalm 32(33):4-5,18-20,22
The Lord fills the earth with his love.
The word of the Lord is faithful
and all his works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justice and right
and fills the earth with his love.
The Lord looks on those who revere him,
on those who hope in his love,
to rescue their souls from death,
to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul is waiting for the Lord.
The Lord is our help and our shield.
May your love be upon us, O Lord,
as we place all our hope in you.
Gospel John 20:11-18
‘I have seen the Lord and he has spoken to me’
Mary stayed outside near the tomb, weeping. Then, still weeping, she stooped to look inside, and saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head, the other at the feet. They said, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away’ she replied ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’ As she said this she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not recognise him. Jesus said, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and remove him.’ Jesus said, ‘Mary!’ She knew him then and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbuni!’ – which means Master. Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and find the brothers, and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ So Mary of Magdala went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had said these things to her.
_________________________________________
Where is my Lord?
Mary of Magdala is overwhelmed with deep sorrow, weeping bitterly over the absent body of her beloved Master and Friend. Her grief consumes her so completely that she fails to recognise Jesus, who is alive and no longer dead. Often, we become preoccupied with work, finances, and fulfilling the demands of others. In all this busyness, we frequently lose sight of Jesus. We rush through life chasing dreams that ultimately leave us unfulfilled. Amidst our distractions, we often miss the call of our Risen Lord, who beckons us by name and invites us to follow Him once more.
“Where is my Lord?” This heartfelt question from Mary reflects her profound longing; all she truly desires is to be with Jesus and nothing more. Today, let us embrace that same yearning to invite Jesus into our lives and be open to His presence. Each day, He reaches out to us, eager to strengthen and renew our faith. Let us keep our focus on Him, taking His hand as we journey the ups and downs of life together.
Reflective question:
Do I recognise the presence of the Risen Lord in my life today?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
