April 6,Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.--Psalm 33:5

Mass readings: Acts 2:36-41 / John 20:11-18

The Gardener

I once heard a story about a priest who was quite a handyman. He loved to paint, mix concrete to repair the sidewalk, and so on. He especially enjoyed gardening, and he really threw himself into the job, often getting covered by sweat and dirt. One day, after hours in the yard, the priest rang the convent doorbell. A sister, new to the parish, opened the door and then hastily shut it! When she told the other sisters, ''There's a bum at the door,'' they assured her, ''It's OK. It's only the pastor.''

Mary Magdalene -- who loved Jesus very much and feared that someone had moved His body -- also didn't recognize the ''gardener.'' But Jesus' calling her name took away the fear and gave her the fullness of Easter joy.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You call me by name. May I always answer Your call.