April 7, 2026
Tuesday in the Octave of Easter
Gospel: John 20:11-18

Today is Tuesday of the Easter Octave. The passage from Saint John’s Gospel depicts the beautiful scene of Mary Magdalene meeting the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

On the first day of the week (Sunday), early in the morning while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb. She stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she bent down to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting where Jesus’ body had been laid—one at the head and the other at the feet (cf. Jn 20:1, 11–12). How much she loved Jesus, that the risen Lord made her the first woman to enter His tomb. Her choice to go inside meant she longed to meet Jesus there. For she still viewed life and death according to the logic of this passing world, rather than the logic of God as revealed by Jesus.

Jesus met Mary Magdalene at the place of His burial and said to her:“Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (cf. Jn 20:17) He did not speak these words to any other disciple—intending to show that He is always with us: in the sacraments, whenever we pray to Him, in every person we encounter, and in the Scriptures we read. He wants us to bring the good news of His resurrection to all people, so the world may rediscover the Savior hidden in their lives through our service—especially by seeing our renewed way of life.

During this Easter Octave, let us join in prayer to God:

O God, who have bestowed on us paschal remedies, endow your people with heavenly gifts, so that, possessed of perfect freedom, they may rejoice in heaven over what gladdens them now on earth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica