The word calls upon us to notice, examine our seeking and longing

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

+ The themes today are full of life! Gushing life!

The Bride speaks in the Song of Songs: “On my bed at night I sought him whom my heart loves — I sought him but I did not find him.”

The Bride continues, ending this short passage: “Have you seen him whom my heart loves? I had hardly left them when I found him whom my heart loves.”

Paul then speaks to the heart of the Corinthians and also to us: “The love of Christ impels us. … So whoever is in Christ is a new creation.”

The Psalm continues the theme with a gushing expression of seeking and longing: “My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.”

+ Then, the Gospel gives us a beautiful narrative in the garden at the empty tomb.

A weeping Mary Magdalene cannot find the body of her dead teacher, friend, love, inspirer of truth because he was raised up and he was alive.

How could it be? Even when talking to him she is confused and unable to see, thinking that he was the gardener. Her grief and pain were turned to joy and faith as she announced to the disciples: “I have seen the Lord!”

+ The encounter with the word and the word calls upon us to notice and examine our seeking and longing; our hoping and faith; and our tasting, and seeing and hearing and heart beating love.

Our cry must also be: “I have seen the Lord!”

Amen!

Lord, let me see you and know you and discover the life that you bring and are in our hearts.

Amen!

Father Perry D. Leiker is the 14th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at perry.leiker@gmail.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.