The Extra Meisl: Sunday Gospel Reflections

As Christian we have Risen with Christ. Let us show to the world what this means in our life, bringing joy, peace and goodness to those around us. Let us show to all our own Resurrection.   Easter Sunday, year B

During the Easter Vigil, we hear the remarkable history of salvation history, from Adam to Jesus. At first glance, the Gospel telling us about the Resurrection of Jesus (Mark 16:1-8) can seem like a definitive conclusion to the story. When we look closer, however, we find that the Gospel ends with a "to be continued". We, the baptized, continue the story Jesus. Through the Spirit, we keep His miss...

When Christ died on the cross, God joined Himself to all who suffer the darkness of pain, sickness, war, and grief. Because of Good Friday, we can be sure that we are not alone in our suffering. Jesus is always by our side. Because of Good Friday we have hope in the midst of our struggles. Christ has lit a candle in the darkness of our suffering.   Good Friday, year B

On Holy Thursday our reality about who God is and how we are to act got upended. Jesus, the great "I Am", the almighty, came and washed feet in an act of humble service. Christ went further and even washed the feet of Judas, the one who would betray Him. As followers of Christ, we are called to serve all, even those who we find difficult. The Eucharist, the gift of Christ Himself, gives us the str...

As we hold palms this Palm Sunday, we are connected to those who waved palms when Christ entered Jerusalem. Why did these people wave palms in the first place? Who did they think Jesus was? As we wave our palms this Sunday, let it be an opportunity to reflect of the kind of Saviour we think Jesus and the consequences this has for our life of discipleship.   Palm Sunday, Year B

Every so often, our phones need a software update to repair some critical issue in the program. Perhaps this can be an image of what Jesus does for us. After we were created in God's image, something within us became broke. A virus entered our system. Jeremiah 31 looked forward to a time when God would heal our heart in a definitive way. God promised to make a new covenant, writing the law on our...

Nicodemus undergoes an incredible transformation in John's Gospel. Nicodemus moves from someone who is afraid to be seen with Jesus, to having the courage to be one of the few to bury Jesus. The message of today's Gospel, Jn 3:14-21, is what transforms Nicodemus. He learns of the generous love of God and how when we give love, God multiples it.

We often procrastinate when we come up against a task that we know will be difficult: filing our taxes, forgiving someone, having a difficult conversation, or getting healthier. The story of Jesus cleansing the Temple (Jn 2) gives us some helpful pointers for how we can overcome procrastination and live a fuller life.

The story of Abraham in the first reading (Gen 22) as well as the Gospel (Mk 9:2-10), show us how God can take our generosity and sacrifices and transform them into something remarkable.

Since sin entered the world, God has been planning to make all things new. The flood was a part of this plan (Gen 9:8-15). With Christ, humanity is created afresh, given new hearts to love and serve God (Mk 1:12-15). Lent is a time to remember that we are being made new. This project begun at baptism and continues with God's grace and our cooperation.

In the Lion King, Simba needed to relearn his deepest identity in order to follow his mission. Lent, likewise, is a time for us to reconsider our core identity as God's children, sinners and yet redeemed.

The Gospel today shows Jesus healing a leper in a holistic way: physically, socially, and spiritually (Mk 1:40-45). Many Christians, such as St. Damian, St. Francis of Assisi, and Mother Theresa, have been inspired to imitate this story literally. In different ways, all of Christ's followers are called to continue Jesus' mission of healing, caring and praying for the sick, and seeking to integrate...

The book of Job grapples with some of life's most difficult questions. Why do we suffer when we have done nothing wrong? Why does God feel absent at times? In the Gospel today (Mk 1:29-39) Jesus confronts these challenges. He shows us that, in the end, all suffering will be destroyed. In the meantime, Jesus is very close to those who suffer. This care is expressed in a special way in the Sacrament...

In one way or another, we are under someone's authority. Human authority tends to oppress and fails to lead us to the fulness of life. In the Gospel (Mark 1:21-28) we learn that Jesus has absolute authority, yet uses this authority to serve and give new life. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul encourages us all to put ourselves under Christ's loving lordship.

When we lack a mission our purpose, we can lack joy and a sense of person. The readings today show us that Jesus has called each of us to be part of a community, loving God, serving our neighbour and building a more just world. We should never think we are not good enough. We all have talents God wants us to use for mission. 3 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year B Jonah 3:1-5, 10; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14...

The First Reading (1 Sam 3) and the Gospel today (Jn 1:35-42) encourage us to reflect on how we can hear the word of God in our lives. We can perhaps think that God will call us in a clear way as he did for Samuel. However, John's Gospel shows us that we often hear the voice of God through other people, and can have trouble understanding what God is calling us to, and learn more about God's plans...

On this celebration of the Epiphany, the magi are presented to us as models of faith to imitate. They are humble seekers who show incredible generosity. Among the various traditions that have developed surrounding the magi, this is illustrated by the story of the fourth wise man. Epiphany, year B

Names have a meaning. The name Jesus, which we hear proclaimed in today's Gospel means the "Lord saves". Through Jesus, God saves, rescues, heals and blesses us. Like Mary, let us learn to recognize the many ways we are blessed by Jesus.   Mary Mother of God, year B

Although their are so many blessings and much goodness in our families, no one has a perfect family. The Holy Family also struggled and suffered. We learn from the Holy Family that our own families - as imperfect as they are - can be schools in which we grow in love of God and neighbour.   Holy Family, year B

On Christmas Day, the shepherds received an unexpected gift. When they visited Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in Bethlehem, they encountered a Saviour who defied all expectations: Immanuel, God with us. We rejoice in having such a Saviour, who is always close to us, whatever we are going through, saving us.   Christmas, year B

Today's readings are all about houses. In the first reading (2 Sam 7), David wants to build God a house, a Temple. Instead of David building God a Temple, God promises He will build David a dynastic house. Jesus, son of David and son of God, fulfills this promise when He is born at Bethlehem, the "house of bread". 4th Sunday of Advent, year B

John the Baptist proclaimed that Jesus is the light of the world (Jn 1). Jesus came to bring salvation and joy. Just as some recognized His light for what it was while some failed to see it, so we must choose to see the goodness Jesus brings into our daily lives. The light always shines in the darkness. Seeing the light and embracing joy is a choice.   3 Sunday of Advent, year B John 1

The wilderness or desert is a rich image in the Bible. At different times, God's people found themselves in a literal or figurative desert. These were times of suffering, confusion and disruption. At the same time, the desert is also a place of hope. God cares for his people in the desert and send help and salvation. On this second Sunday of Advent, the readings call us to rekindle our hope. Whate...

Waiting for God to act in our lives can be difficult, especially when God seems distant. In the parable from today's Gospel, we learn that although Jesus will always enter our lives, the timing of his arrival and means by which He works is often unexpected. 1 Sunday of Advent, year B Mark, 13:33-37

Although the Solemnity of Christ the King is relatively new (established in 1925), the theme of kingship is an important one in the Old Testament. After exile, expectation grew that God would send an ultimate King would would establish the Kingdom of God in a definitive way. As we hear in the Gospel today (Matthew 25), Jesus fulfills this expectation in an unexpected way. Christ the King, year A