I have Seen the Lord

For the past three Easters I have always been amazed at the joy that I not only receive at Easter, but also the joy that I see in other people at Easter. Two years ago I had the opportunity to go back to St. Paul Seminary and offer a Mass of Thanksgiving and it just so happened that it was the Tuesday in the Octave of Easter, the same as it is today. In the Gospel for today (John 20:11-18) it tells the story of Mary Magdalene finding the tomb empty and then encountering Christ. After the encounter with the risen one she goes and tells the disciples “I have seen the Lord”. When I was back at St. Paul Seminary two years ago I told the seminarians that I too have seen the Lord, because I see the Lord in the parishioners that I serve. This still holds true today, I am able to see the Lord in all of you because you let him into your life, and it shows in the joy and love that you have for God. This always strikes me at Easter time when I am able to look out at the congregation and see the many faces of people that I have come to know. At Epiphany and here at St. Ambrose in my first year the thing that this really does is make me feel like I belong to the parish as well. For this of course I want to thank you for letting me attempt to serve you as best as I can, as a priest acting In Persona Christi (in the person of Christ), and for letting me be part of the parish. I hope that this Easter season is filled with joy and love of Christ, and please know of my continued prayers for you.

God Bless,

Fr. Carlson