The Extra Meisl

Vine and Branches

In the Gospel today (John 15:1-8), Jesus tells us about our close connection to Him and, through Him, to other Christians. By abiding in Christ, aided by prayer and the Sacraments, we bring the love and peace of Jesus to those around us.

Let Christ out

In our baptism we are linked to Christ and called to be good sheep as well as  shepherds in imitation of Christ the Good Shepherd. On Good Shepherd Sunday, let us pray that we can all follow our vocations faithfully, bringing Christ to the world!

Definitely NOT a ghost! (3 Sunday Easter)

The Gospel today (Lk 24:35-48) emphasizes that Jesus rose from the dead WITH His body. He was not a ghost! This shows us the importance of our own bodies. It is through our bodies that we show care, closeness, and charity to others. 

Glorified wound - Divine Mercy

Why does the Risen Christ still have wounds? This is a puzzling feature of today's Gospel (John 20:19-31). We believe that our resurrected bodies will be free from suffering and decay. So why the wounds on Christ? From Jesus' encounter with Thomas, we discover His wounds have been glorified. They are a constant reminder of His love for us and now give life, not death. Likewise, through the mercy of God, our own wounds can become glorified and can become a channel of grace for others.

 

Divine Mercy, Year B

I want to see your Resurrection! - Easter Sunday

As Christian we have Risen with Christ. Let us show to the world what this means in our life, bringing joy, peace and goodness to those around us. Let us show to all our own Resurrection.

 

Easter Sunday, year B

We are the sequel of Christ - Easter Vigil

During the Easter Vigil, we hear the remarkable history of salvation history, from Adam to Jesus. At first glance, the Gospel telling us about the Resurrection of Jesus (Mark 16:1-8) can seem like a definitive conclusion to the story. When we look closer, however, we find that the Gospel ends with a "to be continued". We, the baptized, continue the story Jesus. Through the Spirit, we keep His mission alive. We are the sequel of Christ.

 

Easter Vigil, year B (Mark 16:1-8)

A light in the darkness of suffering - Good Friday

When Christ died on the cross, God joined Himself to all who suffer the darkness of pain, sickness, war, and grief. Because of Good Friday, we can be sure that we are not alone in our suffering. Jesus is always by our side. Because of Good Friday we have hope in the midst of our struggles. Christ has lit a candle in the darkness of our suffering.

 

Good Friday, year B

Washing the feet of an enemy - Holy Thursday

On Holy Thursday our reality about who God is and how we are to act got upended. Jesus, the great "I Am", the almighty, came and washed feet in an act of humble service. Christ went further and even washed the feet of Judas, the one who would betray Him. As followers of Christ, we are called to serve all, even those who we find difficult. The Eucharist, the gift of Christ Himself, gives us the strength to follow this radical call.

Holy Thursday, year B

Why wave palms on Palm Sunday?

As we hold palms this Palm Sunday, we are connected to those who waved palms when Christ entered Jerusalem. Why did these people wave palms in the first place? Who did they think Jesus was? As we wave our palms this Sunday, let it be an opportunity to reflect of the kind of Saviour we think Jesus and the consequences this has for our life of discipleship.

 

Palm Sunday, Year B

A software update for the heart

Every so often, our phones need a software update to repair some critical issue in the program. Perhaps this can be an image of what Jesus does for us. After we were created in God's image, something within us became broke. A virus entered our system. Jeremiah 31 looked forward to a time when God would heal our heart in a definitive way. God promised to make a new covenant, writing the law on our hearts. Christ brings about this new covenant. By His death and resurrection, He saves us and makes us new, ensuring we will never again need any kind of update to our hearts. Lent is a time for us to participate more and more in this transformation Christ is working, providing the ultimate "software update" for the human heart.

 

5 Sunday Lent, year B