By Name

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/040715.cfm) reminds me that God calls us by name.

Names are very important. Some even say that the name of a person has an influence on how the person will grow up. And the name determines the relationship you have with the person. People who call you by your first name or formal name may not be as close as some who call you by your nickname.

God knows our name.

In the gospel, we see that Mary was looking for Jesus. She saw him already but did not recognize him – until Jesus called her by name. He knows how to get our attention. He knows us by name. he knows us personally.

Sometimes in life, we have a lot of drama and issues. We feel normal and untalented, but we are reminded today that the risen God knows us by name. and his calling for us is unique per person. What he is asking you to do may not be what he is asking others to do. However, we should not compare, for he knows what we can do and what will be best for us.

God has plans for each and every one of us. We just have to trust in him, and be sensitive to him. Let us wait and know that he is calling us by name.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love you. Thank you for the reminder of how special I am. Thank you for knowing my name. Thank you for seeing me in a way only you would. May I always remember how special and how loved I am, and may it move me to love you more. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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April 7, 2015

Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

Lectionary: 262

Reading 1 Acts 2:36-41

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.”

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?”

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.

For the promise is made to you and to your children

and to all those far off,

whomever the Lord our God will call.”

He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them,

“Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”

Those who accepted his message were baptized,

and about three thousand persons were added that day.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20 and 22

R. (5b) The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Upright is the word of the LORD,

and all his works are trustworthy.

He loves justice and right;

of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.

R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,

upon those who hope for his kindness,

To deliver them from death

and preserve them in spite of famine.

R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Our soul waits for the LORD,

who is our help and our shield.

May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us

who have put our hope in you.

R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Ps 118:24

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

This is the day the LORD has made;

let us be glad and rejoice in it.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 20:11-18

Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping.

And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb

and saw two angels in white sitting there,

one at the head and one at the feet

where the Body of Jesus had been.

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.”

When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there,

but did not know it was Jesus.

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.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary!”

She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,”

which means Teacher.

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.’”

Mary went and announced to the disciples,

“I have seen the Lord,”

and then reported what he had told her