The Extra Meisl

A light in darkness (33 Sunday OT, year B)

Apocalyptic literature, like we find in the first reading and Gospel today (Dn 12:1–3; Mk 13:24–32), are some of the strangest and most difficult to decipher genres in the Bible. At their core, these texts are meant to inspire hope in a persecuted community. They convey that God is in control and therefore their suffering will not last forever. These texts encourage the community to live in faithfulness to the covenant. The Gospel in particular reminds us that Jesus is a light in our darkness.

 

Dn 12:1–3; Mk 13:24–32 

People watching with Jesus (32 Sunday OT, B)

I think we all like to go people-watching from time to time. In the Gospel today (Mk 12:38–44), Jesus is in the Temple people-watching with His disciples. There he teaches them, and us, important lessons about who are the people worthy of our attention and imitation. Surprisingly, Jesus calls attention to a poor widow, calling us to imitate her sacrificial generosity.

 

32 Sunday OT, year B

Back to Basics (31 Sunday OT, B)

In response to a question, Jesus gets back to basics, revealing the core of what it means to follow God's path: love God and love our neighbour (Mk 12:28b-34). In order to truly love our neighbour, we must get to know them so that we can serve them in the way that is truly best for them, not what we might think is best.

 

31 Sunday of Ordinary Time, B

A blind man who sees (30 Sunday OT, B)

In the Gospel today, we meet Bartimaeus (Mark 10:45-52). Although he is physically blind, he has better spiritual vision than others around him since he is able to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and knows Christ will heal him. We can become spiritually blind when we fail to see Christ present in our neighbour and daily experiences.

 

30 Sunday of Ordinary Time, B

Service and Synod (29 Sunday of OT, B)

In the Gospel today (Mk 10:35-45), Jesus presents a vision of His community where all participate, all serve, and each and every voice matters. The Synod, currently happening in Rome, is an opportunity for the Church to become this kind of community.

 

29 Sunday OT, B

Decluttering and focusing on what brings joy (28 Sunday, B)

In his interaction with the rich young man (Mark 10:17–30), Jesus gives guidance for how we can focus better on what bring our greatest joy – our relationship with Christ – by decluttering or putting in proper perspective things like possessions and even family. Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to focus on what brings us joy.

28 Sunday, B

Marriage ministry of care and encouragement (27 Sunday OT, B)

In discussing marriage, Jesus shows his care for married people who are vulnerable as well as emphasis on the goodness of marriage. As a Church, we are called to continue this ministry of care and encouragement. We care for those for whom marriage has been a source of pain, creating space for healing and welcome. We encourage those who are married, promoting the value and beauty of the sacrament of marriage.

27 Sunday OT, B

Jesus talks tough (26 Sunday, OT, B)

Like parents warning their children from danger and harm, Jesus uses strong language to have us move away from the damaging impacts of sin (Mark 9:38-43; 45, 47-48). We all have behaviours that harm ourselves and those around us. The Gospel, as well as the writings of saints like St. Ignatius, give us helpful guidance for how to overcome temptation and live a fuller life.

 

26 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year B

Finding meaning in routine (25 Sunday OT, year B)

The Gospel today (Mk 9:30-37) teaches us that human fulfilment is not found in having power. Rather, we live a joyful life when we make of ourselves a gift to others. Doing this allows us to find meaning, even in the midst of routine and seemingly ordinary daily life.

 

25 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year B

Peter (sort of) gets it right (24 Sunday OT, B)

Our understanding of who Jesus is will impact how we think a follower of Jesus will act. In the Gospel today (Mk 8:27-35), although Peter correctly identifies that Jesus is the Messiah, Peter cannot grasp that the Messiah will be a suffering servant. Since Jesus is a Saviour who came to serve others, we are called to do the same.

24 Sunday of OT, year B

Mk 8:27–35