The Extra Meisl: Sunday Gospel Reflections

Now we know the end of our story (Easter Vigil)

During the Easter Vigil, we have the opportunity to hear the highlights of the story of God's interaction with humanity. In the Gospel, we hear the end of the story, the triumph of love and life over sin and death. At our baptism, we enter into this story. Knowing that our story ends in life transforms us here and now. As the candles that we light as the Vigil from the Pasqual Candle light up the Church, so we spread the light of and love of Christ around us.

Why is this Friday Good?

Good Friday reveals to us that we received mercy from a God who loves us rather than strict justice. This mercy cannot end on the Cross. We receive this mercy as a gift we share with others.

Remembering the past to change the present (Holy Thursday)

The theme of remembering runs through the readings for Holy Thursday. The Passover is a remembrance of the Exodus. The Lord's Supper or Eucharist is in remembrance of the Last Supper. The remembrance that the Jesus speaks about at the Last Supper is meant to transform us to become servant like Him, treating all with dignity and love.

Why did the crowd reject Christ? (Palm Sunday, yearA)

The two Gospel we hear on Palm or Passion Sunday show diverse reactions to Jesus. While there are some who stand by Jesus through His Passion, many abandon Him. Why? The answer can be found in the palms they waved. Jesus was an unexpected Messiah.

Three Tombs (5 Sunday Lent, C)

The story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (Jn 11:1-45), speaks to us of three tombs, the tombs of Lazarus, Jesus, and our own. This story shows up the compassion Jesus has for those who mourn and the life Jesus gives us, now and for eternity.

Is our faith blind?

The Gospel this Sunday (Jn 9:1-41) tells the story of Jesus giving sight to the blind man. It is rich in symbolism. The Gospel teaches us how Jesus is the light of the world. Just as the pillar of fire led the people of Israel through the wilderness, so Jesus is the light that guides us. Further, the Gospel challenges us to consider how we respond to Jesus, the light of the world. Do we reject Jesus as his opponents did? Are we hesitant in our faith like the parents of the blind man? Or, do we allow Jesus to deepen our faith as the blind man did?

Homily for 4 Sunday Lent, year A

Water and the Spirit in Samaria

Water is a basic human need. When we lack water, we can experience a thirst that can be painful at times. In Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman (Jn 4:5-42), the image of thirst is used to explain how we all have deeper longings in our heart that Christ satisfies with His gift of the living water.

Mini-transfigurations

Just before His journey to Calvary, the Transfiguration of Jesus gave hope to his followers by giving them a preview to the end of Christ's story: the Resurrection (Mt 17:1-9). In our lives, God gives us mini-transfiguration moments which give us hope in the midst of our challenges

Sirens, Orpheus, Temptations, and Christ

1 Sunday Lent, Matthew 4:1-11

Similar to how the song of Orpheus conquered the Siren's song, so Christ points us towards our true good and away from temptations which can never fulfil us.

Ash Wednesday -understanding the assignment

"Remember that you are dust and unto dust you shall return". "Repent and believe in the Gospel". The two invocations we use while imposing ashes remind us that God has given us an assignment - to follow the Gospel - and that this assignment has a due date.