The Extra Meisl

Does it matter what language Jesus spoke?

In the Gospel today (Mark 7:31-37, 23 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year B), we find Jesus speaking Aramaic. This teaches us something important about Jesus' identity and the way that God works in the world.

Dealing with doubt

Doubt is a normal part of our spiritual journey. Although it seems counterintuitive, when we respond to doubt in the right way, it can be an opportunity to strengthen our faith (Jn 6:60-69).

How we ignore God's help

God always wants to help us when we need help. Sometimes, however, like the people in today’s Gospel (John 6), we reject God’s assistance because because it comes in a form we do not expect. Asking for help is an act of faith.

Misunderstanding signs (18 Sunday Ordinary Time, year B)

Just as the people in the Gospel (John 6:24-35) are corrected by Jesus for focusing on the good, but external aspects of a sign (bread) rather than the better, divine truth it represented (Jesus is the bread of life), the Gospel today challenges us to ensure we come to Mass for the right reasons.

Unanswered prayer

We have all experienced the painful experience of not getting what we ask for in prayer. The Gospel of today (Mk 5) gives us the hopeful message that God is always doing something when we pray, therefore we can have the courage to persevere.

Corpus Christi | Truth and Reconciliation

Ascension: Why does Jesus leave us?

When Jesus ascends into heaven, we are confronted with a paradox: Jesus loved us so much that He needed to leave us behind. If Jesus had not ascended, we would never have matured as disciples.

The Mandalorian and a COVID Christmas

The Mandalorian and the Nativity both tell the story of a child entering a dark world who, though rejected by some, has the potential to bring hope and a new direction to life. Don't worry, there are no spoilers in this reflection for the 4th Sunday of Advent!

Rejoicing in a dark place (3rd Sunday of Advent)

Living in a pandemic, it can be very hard to appreciate how we are supposed to rejoice on this Gaudete (Rejoice!) Sunday. The Gospel today (John 1) gives us hope. It tells us that Jesus is light in the darkness. When we are in a dark place, a little light makes a big difference. We can rejoice by recognizing the small ways Jesus is a light to us and by being a light to those around us.

COVID Desert (2nd Sunday of Advent)

The COVID pandemic has been like the wilderness or desert experiences we read about 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. We can have hope because in the midst of these desert experiences God always proclaims a message of comfort to his people: God's saving help is on the way! Desert experiences are transformed into times of renewal. We, like the people in the readings today (Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1:1-8), are called to prepare ourselves to receive this salvation that comes at Christmas in a new way.