The Extra Meisl: Sunday Gospel Reflections

The Gospel ( Mt 22:1-14) today is tricky. On the one hand, Jesus tells us that following Him, living in God's Kingdom, is something joyful, like being at a wedding banquet. Because God has greatly blessed us, our first response is gratitude. On the other hand, Jesus shows us that we need to accept the invitation to the wedding by changing our lives. One way we can respond to how blessed we are is...

In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us that God shows love and care for the world through his people. We are God's vineyard, the way He produces good fruit in the world (Mt 21:33-43). Today, on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, we are reminded that one way we can bear good fruit is by working to strengthen bonds of love and fraternity among all people.

During the pandemic we have all experienced losses. In the second reading today from Phil 2 , Paul teaches his audience how to live in peace when things are taken away from them. By following Jesus' example of kenosis (= self-emptying) and accepting losses for the good of others we can ensure our loses do not wound us and lead to crankiness.

The parable of the vineyard owner and the workers that Jesus tells in the Gospel today (Matthew 20:1-16) is unsettling because it seems so unfair. Like all parables, this one is supposed to provoke and unsettle us so that we can see some deeper spiritual truths. The parable teaches us that God's grace is something we could never earn, it's pure gift. It also shows us that in God's eyes we all have...

Paul's hymn to love (1 Cor 13), which we hear in the first reading a Mass today, is by far the most popular reading for weddings. For good reason! This beautiful reading is a challenge for all of us. It teaches us that love is above all a verb - an action - and encourages us to become more like God who is love (1 Jn 4:8).

Forgiving others can be extremely difficult. In today's Gospel (Matthew 18:21-35), Jesus tells us how important it is to forgive. We must forgive not 7 times but 77 times! In addition, by means of a parable, Jesus gives us a tip or method for how to make forgiveness easier: the more we remind ourselves of the mercy and forgiveness God and others have shown us, the easier it becomes to forgive.

People generally agree that happiness is the one thing everyone wants. However, people disagree about what will make them happy. In the Gospel today (Luke 6:20-26), we hear Jesus' beatitudes, his radical and unexpected roadmap for happiness. The saint whose feast we celebrate today, St. Peter Claver (1580 – 1654), lived the beatitudes in a remarkable way in his service to slaves in Colombia.

The readings today teach us about what it means to be a prophet. A prophet is not clairvoyant peering into a crystal ball but is someone who sees the world through God's eyes and calls us how to best live. The prophet is a watcher. In the gospel today, Jesus shows us that to be a true prophet we need to listen to others. The baptized form a prophetic community.

Jesus has some strong words for Peter in today's Gospel . Jesus calls Peter "Satan" because he is an obstacle to Jesus' mission. This shows us how important the Cross is in the life of Jesus and in each of our lives. From tradition, we know that Peter eventually learnt his lesson and gave his life for Christ.

Spending time in silence can help us refocus on Jesus and ensure our fear does not overcome us. 19 Sunday Ordinary Time, year A. Readings

The readings this Sunday show us that God cares for us. In the Gospel (Mt 14:13-21), Jesus teaches us a paradoxical lesson: one way God cares for us is by giving us the opportunity to care for others.

In today's Gospel , Jesus explains more about God's Kingdom with parables. The Kingdom is something valuable that satisfies our desires. By searching for Wisdom, we can find the kingdom in our daily lives.

With three parables, Jesus teaches us how the Kingdom of God works ( Gospel ). 16 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year A, 2020

In the parable of the sower, Jesus emphasizes the need for us to listen actively to his instructions about the kingdom of heaven. ( readings )

Jesus uses the metaphor of a yoke - which seems foreign to us - to explain that when we are with him we can face the struggles of life with hope and strength. 14th Sunday Ordinary Time, year A ( readings )

Today (13 Sunday OT, year A) Jesus challenges us to reconsider our expectations when it comes to the costs and rewards of following Him.

In the Gospel today ( Mt 8:5-17 ), Jesus shows us what loving our enemies looks like in practice. 

Jesus teaches us we can cure an unhealthy fear with "fear" (awe, reverence) of God. Readings 12 week OT (year A)

The Eucharist, like manna, is a gift of love which draws us closer as a community. Readings for Corpus Christi.

We all sometimes delay or procrastinate in doing what we know is right. On the memorial of St. Anthony of Padua, the readings today teach us that we should follow what God calls us to do and not stall.

What are the essential aspects of God? Readings

Pentecost 2020

We can feel doubt and pain when it seems Jesus is far from us, just like the disciples did when Jesus left and ascended to heaven (Mt 28:16-20). At the same time, we place our trust Jesus' promise that He is with us always, until the end of the age.

Happy Mother's Day! Mothers love us in a way that is is very focused, particular and sacrificial. It is a love that fills us with hope, especially when things are difficult. This is the kind of love and care Jesus shows his followers in today's Gospel (John 14:1-12), part of his "farewell discourse" which is like his last will and testament to us.

Happy Good Shepherd Sunday! Rather than leaders who are out to enrich themselves, Jesus shows us that true leadership involves sacrificing ourselves so that others may have life (John 10:1-10). All baptized are challenged to live this way. We pray in a particular way today for vocations to priesthood and consecrated life where this call is expressed in a beautiful way.