April 2. Tuesday of Easter week.  Young Magdalen shared, “I’m fascinated by the Resurrection story where Mary Magdalene is weeping, and, looking up, sees someone she assumes is the gardener but doesn’t recognize it is Jesus at first. We know God is everywhere, but would you or I recognize him in an ordinary person doing his job?  A gardener can be quite symbolic for us right now. With a focus on ecological conversion we can recognize God present in this aspect of creation; God as gardener, planting and tending his creation, resuscitating dying plants maybe.” 

Reflect, share, pray, Scripture:  Supposing him to be the gardener Mary Magdalene said to him, “Sir if you have carried him away tell me where you have laid him and I will take him away.  Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned to him, saying,  “Rabboni.” Jesus said, “Do not hold me,  for I have not yet ascended to the Father, my Father and your Father, my God and your God.”  John 20:11-18.  Pope Francis : Jesus took up the biblical faith in God, the Creator, emphasizing a fundamental truth: God is Father. In talking with his disciples Jesus would invite them to recognize the paternal relationship God has with all his creatures. LS 96.   The creatures of this world no longer appear to us under mere natural guise because the risen One is mysteriously holding them to himself and directing them towards fullness as their end. There is a mystical meaning to be found in a leaf, in a mountain trail, in a dewdrop in a poor person’s face.  The world sings of an infinite Love, how can we fail to care for it?  LD 65.  ACTION:  in prayer let your mind wander a little.  Can you think of times when you were conscious of God’s presence around you?  Can you cultivate such an awareness more?

PRAYER FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA.

Merciful Father, send forth your Spirit upon us the people of Southern Africa.   May we hear anew the voice of Jesus Christ inviting us to walk with him across the turbulent waters of our time. “Courage it is I. do not be afraid.”

By the grace of the Holy Spirit empower us to bring comfort to the restless, hope to those who despair, healing to victims of violence and reconciliation where there is division.

May the Holy Spirit heal our families and communities.  Grant us ethical and courageous leaders, who put the good of the people before their own interests.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit we commit ourselves to speak the truth with courage, to act justly in all we do, to share with those in need and always and everywhere to respect your gift of life as we strive to proclaim the values of the Kingdom in solidarity with all people of goodwill.   Amen

Lord, make mean instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury let me sow pardon. Where there is discord let me sow harmony. Divine Master grant that I may not so much seek to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love, To receive sympathy as to give it. For it is in giving that we receive, in pardoning that we are pardoned, In forgetting self that we shall have unending peace with others. Amen