Meditating on the Gospel reading gives one an intimate closeness to the Risen Christ. For Mary, the new experience in the garden of the Resurrection when Jesus called her 'Mary', she realized that it was Jesus as she responded, 'Rabbuni.' This encounter with the Risen Christ reopened to Mary the possibility of the wonderful joy of friendship with Him. She saw Him with the eyes and ears of LOVE which empowered her to share with others the Good News of God's unfolding creation.

Today the same experience is being lived out in the lives of all who believe in the Resurrection of Jesus. He calls each by name and draws him/her to new life and empowers him/her to reach out to others.

Similarly as in the first reading when Peter spoke to the Jews on Pentecost Day, the immediate response was, "What must we do?" It was a moment of grace as they were touched to repentance and conversion.

As Easter people, let us be challenged by the same spirit to continue to trust and relate with Jesus with new eyes and ears of LOVE to serve others especially the marginalized and rejected in society. Let us be empowered by the Risen Lord to continue His mission on earth.