The Extra Meisl: Sunday Gospel Reflections

Frenemies

When we think of someone who we may consider an enemy, Jesus teaching to love that person can seem impossible (Mt 5:38-48). Part of the problem can be that we misunderstand what Jesus means by "love". Ultimately Jesus teaches us that non-violent resistance and forgiveness is the path that brings lasting peace.

Does Jesus make our lives more difficult?

In the Gospel this Sunday (Matthew 5:17-37), Jesus tells us that He came to fulfill and not abolish the Law or the prophets. What does this mean? From the examples Jesus gives, we learn that He emphasizes our interior motivations for following the commandments. Jesus wants us to follow the commandments of course, but our living relationship with God is what is most important. As Benedict XVI wrote in Deus Caritas Est,

“Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.”

This little light of mine

In the Gospel today Jesus (Mt 5:13-16), Jesus teaches us a lesson we all probably learned in Kindergarten: we are called to transform those around us by being salt and light. We do this by letting the light of Christ, which we received at our baptism, shine through us to those around us.

Would Jesus go viral?

Social media if full of influencers who try offering advice to people, telling them what it means to live a good life. Those who create this content want to get the maximum number of people watching them - they want to go viral. If Jesus had a social media platform in which he offered His teaching, would He go viral? When we hear the Beatitudes in today's Gospel (Mt 5:1-12), it seems that such teaching would not gain traction online because it does not seem logical. How can those who mourn or are persecuted by "blessed"? Who would want that? The truth of the Beatitudes, however, is realized only when we live them out.

We all get chosen for Jesus’ team

In the Gospel today, Jesus choses his initial followers, the first members of His team (Mt 4:12-23). Sometimes we might fear we don't have what it takes to be chosen by Christ. In reality, He calls all of us. We are all necessary and important members of the community.

Being a commercial for Christ

John the Baptist was like a commercial for Christ. By his words and actions he drew people to Jesus (Jn 1:29-34). In our baptism, we are called to imitate John the Baptist, being signposts directing people to the goodness of Jesus.

Following the Magi, following a star

The story of the Magi (Matthew 2) is more than just a nice story to tell at Christmas. The stages of their journey to encounter Christ parallels our own experience as we follow Jesus. Their story is our story.

The value of silence (Mary Mother of God)

We may want to imitate one practice of Mary as a New Year's resolution. The Gospel today (Lk 2:16-21) shows us the ability of Our Lady to "ponder" the wonders God was working around her. By taking some time in silence each day, we too can ponder the ways God blesses us and be strengthened and filled with hope.

Playing a role in the Christmas Story

When we listen to the Christmas story, we hear about many characters (Mary, Joseph, Shepherds, Magi) whose lives were changed when they chose to play a role in the story of Jesus. This Christmas, let us not only hear the story of Jesus' birth, but participate in it and be transformed.

What’s in a name? (4th Sunday Advent)

For each of us, our name is so important. Our parents selected our name with care. Our names mean something. The same goes for Jesus. The Gospel today (Matthew 1:18-24) shows us what the name of Jesus - Emmanuel - indicates about who He is.