Daily Gospel Reflection for April 2, 2024: Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: John 20:11-18

I watched a video the other day of a child who was blindfolded and led to four women, one of whom was her mother. This little girl went to each woman individually and rubbed noses with each. Watching the video, I could almost feel the love shared between daughter and mother when the child reached her own. She knew her mother immediately, removed her blindfold, and collapsed into her arms.

Mary knew her Lord well. She had spent countless hours with Him. She had been healed and had witnessed countless miracles. She had sat at His feet, listening to Him speak and had learned from Him. But even more, Mary’s heart had been changed through her time with Him. She had become more conformed to Him and His ways.

Jesus’ calling to her wasn’t just His stating her name. It was a response to prayer, to her heart seeking Him. Jesus’ heart called back to her, and she recognized Him.

When Jesus spoke her name, I can almost feel the love that our Lord has for His dear friend Mary. And Mary immediately recognized that. Her heart was moved. “Rabbi!” she exclaimed.

Though Jesus may be disguised in the people and events of our lives, He comes to us also. Do we know Him well enough to recognize Him? Are we able to hear His voice and respond?

One thing that we learn from Mary Magdelene is that relationship is critical in our following Him. As with Mary and with the blindfolded girl, if we spend time with our Lord in prayer, we will also learn to recognize Him at a deep and instinctual level. Our ears attune themselves to the sound of His voice, and our hearts come to know Him as the One for whom we long.

Ponder:

Do I spend time with Jesus such that I’m learning to recognize His voice? How do I respond when He calls to me?

Pray:

Oh, Lord, how I wish to hear You speaking to me! Please reveal Yourself to me and let me recognize Your voice, that I may also follow and praise You!

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Though Jesus may be disguised in the people and events of our lives, He comes to us also. Do we know Him well enough to recognize Him? #DailyGospel

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