The Extra Meisl: Sunday Gospel Reflections

Which Voice Are You Listening To? Letting God’s Word Bear Fruit

Every day, many voices compete for our attention, but God’s word is the voice that gives life, nourishes our hearts, and produces lasting fruit. The example of St. Anthony and the parable of the sower show what can happen when we receive Scripture as a personal word from Christ. We prepare good soil in our hearts by making time for God’s word, listening to it personally, and acting upon what Jesus asks of us.

 

Jesus’ Easy Yoke: Finding Rest When Life Feels Heavy

Jesus does not promise a life without responsibilities, but he does promise rest to those who carry their burdens with him. When our work and duties are motivated by love of God and neighbour, the weight of these burdens is transformed. The Mass, like the Sabbath, helps us remember our deepest identity and the true purpose behind all that we do.

Hospitality: Welcoming Christ in the Stranger

As Vancouver welcomes the world during the World Cup, the readings invite us to reflect on the deeper Christian meaning of hospitality. From the Shunammite woman who welcomes Elisha, to St. Benedict, St. Vincent de Paul, Dorothy Day, and Pope Francis, the Church teaches that in welcoming the stranger, the poor, and the person who is different from us, we welcome Christ himself. Christian hospitality begins when we stop seeing others as interruptions, threats, or problems, and begin receiving them as gifts to be encountered.

 

Why We Should Not Be Afraid: Jesus, Fear, and the Love of the Father

Fear is a natural part of human life, but it can become harmful when it holds us back from loving God, loving others, and following Christ more fully. In the Gospel, Jesus reminds us that God is a loving Father who knows us intimately, cares for us deeply, and sees even the smallest details of our lives. Because we are held in the Father’s love, we can bring our fears to him with trust and hear again the words of Jesus: do not be afraid.

 

Corpus Christi: Receiving the Eucharist and Becoming the Body of Christ

This Corpus Christi reflection explains that the Eucharist is the greatest gift we receive, Jesus himself becoming bread for our journey. Yet the Eucharist does not leave us as passive receivers; it transforms us into the body of Christ, sent out to become a gift for others. Our “Amen” at Communion is therefore not only an act of belief, but a renewed commitment to continue the mission of Jesus in the world.

Corpus Christi 2026

Made for Communion: The Trinity, Artificial Intelligence, and the Meaning of Being Human

Pope Leo’s new encyclical on artificial intelligence invites us to ask what makes human beings truly human. On Trinity Sunday, we remember that we are made in the image of the Triune God, which means we are made not for isolation or mere efficiency, but for communion, love, and relationship. Technology can serve this vocation when it strengthens human connection, but it becomes dangerous when it weakens our capacity to love and be present to one another.

Pentecost: The Birthday of the Church and the Mission of Every Catholic

Pentecost reminds us that the Holy Spirit gathers people of many languages, cultures, and backgrounds into one family of faith. The Spirit does not erase our diversity, but unites us in Christ and sends us to continue his mission in the world. Through baptism and confirmation, each of us receives a real role in the Church, because there are no “couch potato Catholics” in the body of Christ.

Why Jesus Had to Leave: The Ascension, Pentecost, and Becoming the Body of Christ

The Ascension can seem strange at first because we are celebrating Jesus leaving his disciples behind. Yet Jesus leaves not to abandon us, but so that we can grow into his mission and become his presence in the world. As we prepare for Pentecost, we ask for hearts open to the Holy Spirit, who makes us the Body of Christ and empowers us to continue Jesus’ work.

The Holy Spirit, Our Advocate: A Mother’s Day Reflection on God’s Presence With Us

On Mother’s Day, we give thanks for mothers, grandmothers, and all those who have cared for us with patience, sacrifice, and love. Jesus promises in the Gospel that he will not leave his disciples orphaned, but will send the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, to remain with them and strengthen them. The faithful love of mothers helps us glimpse the deeper mystery of the Holy Spirit, who nurtures, guides, supports, and gives us life.

 

6 Sunday Easter, Year A

From Carpenter to Cornerstone: Jesus the Builder of God’s Home

Jesus is not only a carpenter but a builder, the one who prepares a dwelling place for us in the Father’s house. Through his rejection, self-sacrifice, forgiveness, and love, Christ becomes the cornerstone of the spiritual home God is building. As members of his Body, we are called to become a place of welcome, light, hospitality, and hope for the world.