The Extra Meisl

What we do (to the least) echoes in eternity

What we do in this life echoes in eternity—especially how we treat the least among us. If we truly believe every person is destined for eternal life, it should change the way we act, speak, and love. Jesus calls us to see others with this perspective, challenging us to live with mercy, dignity, and deep compassion.

 

8 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year C

Lk 6:36-45; 1 Cor 15

Loving enemies (7 Sunday OT, C)

Among the most radical of Christ's commands is that we love our enemies (Luke 6:27–38). When we witness someone living this way, it is inspiring. However, trying to love our enemies can often feel impossible. Jesus gives us some helpful guidance for how we can live out this command by not judging those who harm us. On the cross, Christ put this into practice when He prayed, "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing".

7 Sunday Ordinary Time, C

Seeing things differently (6 Sunday OT, year C)

At Jesus' time, as at our own, a particular way of seeing the world and set of values prevails. In the beatitudes (Luke 6:18, 20–26), Jesus flips this worldview upside down. Rather than the rich, powerful, and oppressive, in God's eyes it is the poor, marginalized, and needy who matter most. By taking time to be in silence and allowing the words of Christ to touch our hearts we can begin to see the world the way God does.

 

From experience to Mission (5 Sunday OT)

In our baptism, we all receive a mission to become, in the words of Pope Francis, "missionary disciples". The readings today show us that the drive for mission is born out of an experience of God's grace. This jubilee year is an opportunity to experience anew the grace of God and become re-energized for mission.

 

5 Sunday OT

Christ our Hope and Light

The celebration of the Presentation of the Lord gives us the hopeful and inspiring message that Jesus is the light of the world, who scatters all darkness and fear. This message is particularly important to focus on when times are dark and troubling. The Gospel calls us to imitate Anna and Simeon, who were able to recognize the goodness and grace of God in their midst. When we do this, we are called to be a light to others.

 

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Luke 2:22-32

The team of the Church, unified for Mission

A good team is one in which all its members are able to contribute their own talents as everyone works together for a common goal. In the Gospel today, Jesus declares His mission and our own in His hometown of Nazareth. As Paul describes in the second reading, we are all members of the body of Christ, carrying out this mission in the world. When we hear God's word at Mass, it is an opportunity for us to be reminded of our calling as the Eucharist unifies our community for our common mission.

 

3 Sunday of Ordinary Time

Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10

1 Corinthians 12:12-30

Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Ordinary into Extraordinary (2 Sunday Ordinary Time, C)

Like any sign Christ works in John's Gospel, the transformation of water into wine at the wedding at Cana is meant to teach us about who Jesus is (Jn 2). We learn that Christ is very close to married people, especially those who struggle. We discover that where Jesus is there is abundance. In addition, we learn that for Christ to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary we must "do whatever He tells us".

 

2 Sunday Ordinary Time

Year C

When was Jesus, the anointed One, actually anointed?

In his Gospel, Luke makes the case that Jesus was anointed at His baptism. It is there that His identity is proclaimed, and He enters a definitive stage in His ministry. A our own baptism, we receive a new identity and are given the task of continuing the mission of Christ. Therefore, as we celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord, we should also give thanks for the gift of our own baptism.

 

Baptism of our Lord, year C

Epiphany helps us see more clearly

The coming of Jesus in the world changes the way we see. The Magi recognized that God does not work through power, wealth, and might, but rather through humility and service. Those who saw the Magi learned that the Saviour of Israel, Jesus, was in fact the Saviour of all peoples. We pray for our own Epiphany, that God may grant us new vision to see the world differently.

 

Epiphany, year C

Blessings for 2025 (Mary Mother of God)

Happy New Year! In the first reading from Numbers (Num 6:22–27), we discover that God is always seeking to bless us. However, do we recognize how God is blessing us? From Mary, we learn how to search out and understand the ways God is working in our lives, blessing us (Luke 2:16–21). The assurance of God's support assists us in journeying forward with confidence into 2025, this Jubilee year.