The Extra Meisl: Sunday Gospel Reflections

The Gospel today ( Mk 9:30-37 ) teaches us that human fulfilment is not found in having power. Rather, we live a joyful life when we make of ourselves a gift to others. Doing this allows us to find meaning, even in the midst of routine and seemingly ordinary daily life.   25 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year B

Our understanding of who Jesus is will impact how we think a follower of Jesus will act. In the Gospel today ( Mk 8:27-35 ), although Peter correctly identifies that Jesus is the Messiah, Peter cannot grasp that the Messiah will be a suffering servant. Since Jesus is a Saviour who came to serve others, we are called to do the same. 24 Sunday of OT, year B Mk 8:27–35

The start of each school year is a time of hope and possibility. New beginnings are a time to choose new behaviours and attitudes. The second reading today from Saint James challenges us to behave with special care and attention for the needy (James 2:1–5). The healing in the Gospel (Mk 7:31–37), which we relive in the Ephphatha ritual in our baptism, reminds us that Jesus give us the grace to see...

In the Gospel today (Mark 7), Jesus is asked about what causes division, separation, and broken relationships. Jesus explains that it is not certain external observances which create problems. Rather, it is the human heart that has the power both to divide and to unite.   22 Sunday OT, year B

Having doubts about what we believe is a common experience in our faith journey. In the Gospel (John 6:60–69), we find people experiencing doubts about who Jesus is. In the midst of this struggle, the Apostle Peter shows a way through doubt. Focusing on the person of Jesus can transform doubts into an opportunity to grow.   21 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year B

In the Eucharist, Jesus the Bread of Life nourishes us, and leads us into communion with God and each other. The Gospel this Sunday (Jn 6:51–58) focuses our attention on the precious gift of the Eucharist.   20 Sunday of OT Jn 6:51-58 

As we continue the Bread of Life discourse, Jesus describes today how He is the Bread of Life in His word (Jn 6:41–51). In the Sacred Scripture Christ nourishes us, giving us encouragement, direction, and hope. Do we read Scripture expecting Christ to speak personally to us?

Signs, like an Olympic medal, can be wonderful things. However, signs usually point to something more important. In the case of the medal, the sign points to the excellence of the athlete and the sacrifices they made. In the Gospel (Jn 6:24-35), Jesus reminds us to focus not only on the sign He has worked (the multiplication of the loaves), but to keep in view what the sign points to: Jesus is the...

On this Sunday we remember in a special way grandparents and elders in our community. Grandparents image the generosity of God. They often want to feed those they love! In the readings today, we see that God gives food in abundance. God satisfies more than just physical hunger. Like the boy in the Gospel who contributed five loaves and two fish, God wants us to contribute in this mission of satisf...

In Ephesians we discover that Jesus came to breaks down walls that separate people (Ephesians 2:13–18). As followers of Christ, we are called to build bridges, seeking to bring unity in the midst of polarization and division. We can do this by imitating Jesus the Good Shepherd, who sacrifices Himself out of love for others (Mark 6:30–34)   16 Sunday in Ordinary Time, year B

As followers of Christ we are all sent out on mission (Mark 6:7-13). We carry out this mission in community. The witness of love, reconciliation, and peace, is one way we complete our mission. In addition, we are encouraged to rely totally on God in our mission.   15 Sunday of Ordinary time, year B

The Gospel today tells us about how Jesus was acting as a prophet, preaching the Word of God in his hometown Nazareth (Mark 6:1–6). Although we can be tempted to judge the people in the Gospel who reject Christ, we should remember that we too run the risk of rejecting Christ's life-giving words.   14 Sunday Ordinary Time, year B

How can a loving God allow suffering and death? This perennial question is tackled in today's readings. The book of Wisdom shows us that suffering and death was not part of God's original plan for humanity (Wisdom 1). Jesus came to restore life and overcome suffering (Mk 5). We are called to continue this healing and life-giving mission of Christ.   13 Sunday Ordinary Time, year B

In the Old Testament, the sea epitomized the dangerous forces aligned against humanity. In the Gospel today (Mk 4:35-41), Jesus calms the storm which threatens His disciples on the Sea. In this way, the power of Christ to overcome all forces of evil is manifested. As we face our own storms, we take courage in the power of Jesus.   12 Sunday of Ordinary Time  

At times we can get discouraged because of prayers, acts of charity, or efforts to build God's kingdom seem small and insignificant. The Gospel today (Mark 4:26-34) encourages us to persevere. The work of God in the world is often humble and goes undetected. God, however, is always at work, taking what we offer Him and causing it to grow into something wonderful. 11 Sunday Ordinary Time, year B

In the Scripture, we read about an entity, Satan, who works against the goodness of God. Whereas God is a communion of love, Satan brings division, separating people from God and one another. In the Gospel (Mark 3:20-35) Jesus declares he has defeated Satan. Christ has created one family of God. We have been given the grace to bring unity. Only we prevent this by happening, by rejecting the power...

On Corpus Christi, the readings today are rather gory! There is a lot of talk of blood and sacrifice. The particular readings for this current year invite us to consider the topic of covenant as it relates to the Eucharist. The first reading describes the important covenant God made with Moses and the people, in which blood was a central aspect (Exod 24:3-8). The second reading reminds us that the...

Thinking about the Trinity can be complicated! When we get right down to it, however, our belief in the Trinity is central to who we are as baptized people. We are made for relationship and communion.

James Joyce once said that Catholic means "here comes everybody". On Pentecost we read about the birth of the Church, a united family which has great diversity of languages and backgrounds. We remember on Pentecost that the Church is a diverse body unity by the Holy Spirit. Everyone in the Church matters and we all need one another.   Pentecost 2024

At first glance, the Ascension seems like something we shouldn't really celebrate. Jesus leaves us behind and, to make matters worse, gives us an impossible mission before He goes. The Holy Spirit is the anecdote for the separation anxiety caused by the Ascension. The Comforter restores us and gives us the strength (Mark 16:15-20) for our mission of healing the separations (with God, neighbour, an...

The readings today encourage us to consider the reality of love. We learn that true love has its origin in God and always seeks the good of the other (John 15:9-17). As followers of Jesus, we are not meant to be motivated by fear. Rather, we are called to fall in love. 6 Sunday of Easter, year B

In the Gospel today (John 15:1-8), Jesus tells us about our close connection to Him and, through Him, to other Christians. By abiding in Christ, aided by prayer and the Sacraments, we bring the love and peace of Jesus to those around us.

In our baptism we are linked to Christ and called to be good sheep as well as  shepherds in imitation of Christ the Good Shepherd. On Good Shepherd Sunday, let us pray that we can all follow our vocations faithfully, bringing Christ to the world!

The Gospel today ( Lk 24:35-48 ) emphasizes that Jesus rose from the dead WITH His body. He was not a ghost! This shows us the importance of our own bodies. It is through our bodies that we show care, closeness, and charity to others. 

Why does the Risen Christ still have wounds? This is a puzzling feature of today's Gospel (John 20:19-31). We believe that our resurrected bodies will be free from suffering and decay. So why the wounds on Christ? From Jesus' encounter with Thomas, we discover His wounds have been glorified. They are a constant reminder of His love for us and now give life, not death. Likewise, through the mercy o...