THE GARDENER
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. - Psalm 33:5
We had hoped to celebrate our recent engagement with our families based in Vietnam, since they won’t be able to attend our wedding in the U.S. In my mind, it would be a small, intimate dinner - “just family.” But after multiple rounds of planning via FaceTime, it started to feel like a lost cause. Because of the cultural differences, our family didn’t quite understand our vision. The guest list grew to 150 people, most of whom I didn’t even meet yet. I found myself slowly letting go, thinking, “it is what it is” while also feeling this fear of looking out into a room full of strangers. The day before the party, people came to set up: assembling poles, hanging decorations, testing the AV system for karaoke. At dawn the next morning, others arrived to cook and prepare. As I looked around, it felt less like a simple dinner and more like a full wedding.
But I’ve come to understand that in Vietnamese culture, engagements (Đám Hỏi) are celebrated just as fully as the wedding itself and what I initially saw as “too much” was, in reality, an outpouring of love.
In today’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene doesn’t recognize Jesus at first; she mistakes Him for the gardener. I found myself in her place. I didn't recognize Jesus at first. I didn't see Him in the hands that prepared the food, in the voices that filled the room, in the generosity of family showing up with joy.
But once I saw, I couldn’t unsee. It was so evident that we are abundantly blessed and deeply loved!
This Easter, I’m reminded that God’s goodness is not always revealed in the way I expect. Sometimes it looks different than my plans, my preferences, my “vision.” But still.. He is there, and He is abundant. Truly, the earth is full of His goodness.
Jesus the Gardener is always at work - tending, cultivating, and bringing life to the very places we least expect. How can we allow Jesus, the Gardener, to tend to the garden of our hearts? Where is God inviting us to let go and trust His way of providing?
Vivian Truong