The Extra Meisl

Revenge or reconciliation (23 Sunday of Ordinary Time, A)

When someone harms us or those we care about, our natural reaction can be to seek to hurt them in return. In the Gospel today (Matthew 18:15-20), Jesus points out an alternative (and challenging!) way of responding, which leads to true reconciliation.

The problem of suffering (22 Sunday Ordinary Time, year A)

Suffering is an unavoidable human experience. It is a problem which various religions and philosophies have grappled with. In the Gospel (Mt 16:21-27) Jesus teaches us that when suffering is combined with love it can lead to life.

 

22 Sunday Ordinary Time, year A

Location, location, location!

"Who do people believe the son of Man is?" Peter answered, "you are the Christ, the Son of the living God". In order to better appreciate the incredible interaction between Jesus and Peter in the Gospel (Matthew 16:13-20), it can be helpful to consider the importance of three locations: Caesarea Philippi, Calvary and the Vatican hill in Rome. 

21 Sunday Ordinary Time, A

God’s love is not contained

We can be quite good at creating barriers that separate people. The readings today show us that God seeks to remove these wall, giving His grace to all.

 

20 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year A

Why the Transfiguration gives hope

The readings for the feast of the Transfiguration fill us with the hope that, in the end, God will conquer all that oppresses us: evil, sin, and death. This gives us confidence as we follow Jesus each day.

 

What’s your treasure?

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven as being a treasure or a pearl of great price that people acquire by selling all that they have (Matthew 13:44-46). Jesus reminds us that although following Him can be difficult at times - it requires selling or leaving behind certain things or ways of thinking and acting - what we gain by being His disciple is truly worth it!

(17 Sunday Ordinary Time, year A)

He spoke to them only in parables

In the Gospel today (Mt 13:24-43) Jesus uses parables to help us better understand different mysteries about the Kingdom of God.

 

16th Sunday Ordinary Time, year A

God’s word has power (15 Sunday Ordinary Time)

Each of us hears many voices in our life (friends, co-workers, social media) which speak various words to us. Some voices bring us peace and lead us closer to God and neighbour and others do not. God's word always brings life. Can we hear His voice?

15 Sunday of OT (Mt 13:1-9)

Making work less of a burden (14 Sunday OT)

Work can be a burden for many of us. When we find a deeper purpose in our work, it can become an easier burden and a lighter yoke.

Hospitality to the stranger, welcoming Christ

The readings this Sunday teach us about the importance of hospitality. When we welcome the stranger we show love to Christ.

 

 

13 Sunday Ordinary Time, Year A

2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16; Rom 6:3-4; 8-11; Mt 10:37-42