At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. – John 20:14

I like to keep a daily checklist to make sure I don’t miss out on my prayer life. I start my day with personal prayers, read the daily readings and devotionals, and pray the rosary. Our faith teaches us that these practices help us grow closer to God.

But sometimes, I wonder—am I truly seeing Jesus in my daily life? I go through my prayers, but do I see Jesus in my family, friends, and coworkers? Too often, I only notice their faults. I focus on what annoys me instead of seeing them with love.

Mary Magdalene stood before Jesus but didn’t recognize Him. How often do we do the same? Jesus is in the people around us, yet we fail to see Him because we are too focused on their shortcomings.

At the end of the day, what good is completing our prayer checklist if we don’t live like Jesus? True faith is not just about prayer—it’s about love, patience, and seeing Jesus in everyone we meet. Let’s not miss out on Him. 

Mia Bueno (buenos@yahoo.com)

reflect

Do you miss out seeing Jesus in others? Make a list of these people and think of ways they manifest Jesus’ character to you.

Father God, open my eyes to see Jesus in everyone I encounter today. Amen.

St. John Baptist de la Salle, priest, pray for us.

If only we were all “cut to the heart” when we heard the Good News proclaimed. The world needs to hear the Good News of salvation. But why is it that only a few are willing to listen to it? This is the challenge we face as believers today: living as witnesses to the Gospel. May others see the difference that faith has made in our lives, and desire the same for their own.

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.

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

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

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. (R) 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. (R) 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. (R)

Gospel | John 20:11-18

What do you think Jesus meant when He said, “Stop holding on to me for I have not yet ascended to my father?” Maybe there are many things that we cling to, such that they become distractions to our faith—people, jobs, dreams, and everything else the world offers. Jesus encourages us to focus on Him and let His love flow directly into our hearts.

Gospel Acclamation

This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.

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.

Reflect

What experience allowed you to “see” the Lord powerfully at work in your life?

Read the Bible in one year! Read EXODUS 34 - 36 today.

One of the most memorable acts of the late Pope Francis in his pontificate was to elevate the memorial of St. Mary Magdalene into a feast during the Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2016. On her feast day, we honor not just a woman from whom seven demons were cast out (Luke 8:2), but a disciple who followed Jesus with a faithful and courageous heart. 

The Gospel reading on the Tuesday of Easter week is the same one read during the saint’s feast. We learn that it was Mary Magdalene who was the first to visit the tomb of Jesus. Her sorrow was raw, her words repeated: “They have taken 

my Lord.” Her grief blinded her until she heard Jesus calling her name: “Mary.” At that moment, she turns—and everything changes.

This turning is more than physical: it is a turning from grief to joy, from confusion to clarity, from loss to mission. It reflects what happens when God turns toward us—and we recognize His voice. Then, Mary clung to Jesus in joy, but He gently told her, “Stop holding on to Me.” This is not a rejection but a sending. Her mission is now clear: “Go and tell My brothers.”

Like Mary, may we encounter Christ in our sorrow and allow that encounter to turn our hearts. Let us cling to Him in love, then go forth in mission, proclaiming with our lives: “I have seen the Lord.” 

Fr. Joel Camaya, SDB

reflection questions

In what moments of your life have you felt like Mary—grieving, disoriented, or lost? How did Jesus meet you in that darkness?

Risen Lord, call us by name like Mary Magdalene. Transform our sorrow into joy, and send us to proclaim You. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ___________________________________________