Dear Parishioners,

Today’s Gospel from St. John has Mary Magdalene going to the tomb. She mistakes Jesus for the gardener and asks where he has taken the body of Jesus. He says her name “Mary” and she recognizes him. This is how we come to know something new. We first put it in a category we understand. For Mary this was “the gardener.” Then when we come to know specifically what it is we can acknowledge what it really is. The difference between Jesus and the gardener is his relationship with Mary. She come to recognize him because of the special relationship they have. Jesus reveals himself to Mary within this relationship. Jesus is not only risen from the dead, He is the same person with the same relationships. That is how Jesus comes to us. He calls us by name. We understand who He is in many ways: The Word made flesh, the co-eternal Son of God, the Son of Mary, the Messiah, the root of Jesse, the Son of David, etc. But, the primary way Jesus is known to us is through his relationship with each of us. During this Easter Season, and during this shut down, we are still his brothers and sisters. He still calls each of us by name. We can acknowledge and cultivate this relationship no matter where we are. We can pray to our Risen Lord asking Him to continue to be with us during this difficult time.

The cases in Maryland are still going up. Hospitalizations, though, seem to be leveling off. We are still in the groundhog day way of life: everday seems like every other day that has gone by. Find time to get out and take a walk. Enjoy the spring as best you can. I continue to pray for all of you and to bring you to the altar at may daily Masses.

Have a Blessed Easter Week, Fr. LaHood