The Extra Meisl

Multiplying love

Nicodemus undergoes an incredible transformation in John's Gospel. Nicodemus moves from someone who is afraid to be seen with Jesus, to having the courage to be one of the few to bury Jesus. The message of today's Gospel, Jn 3:14-21, is what transforms Nicodemus. He learns of the generous love of God and how when we give love, God multiples it.

How you can overcome procrastination

We often procrastinate when we come up against a task that we know will be difficult: filing our taxes, forgiving someone, having a difficult conversation, or getting healthier. The story of Jesus cleansing the Temple (Jn 2) gives us some helpful pointers for how we can overcome procrastination and live a fuller life.

The power of generosity

The story of Abraham in the first reading (Gen 22) as well as the Gospel (Mk 9:2-10), show us how God can take our generosity and sacrifices and transform them into something remarkable.

We are being made new

Since sin entered the world, God has been planning to make all things new. The flood was a part of this plan (Gen 9:8-15). With Christ, humanity is created afresh, given new hearts to love and serve God (Mk 1:12-15). Lent is a time to remember that we are being made new. This project begun at baptism and continues with God's grace and our cooperation.

Lion King and Ash Wednesday

In the Lion King, Simba needed to relearn his deepest identity in order to follow his mission. Lent, likewise, is a time for us to reconsider our core identity as God's children, sinners and yet redeemed.

Jesus heals (6 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year B)

The Gospel today shows Jesus healing a leper in a holistic way: physically, socially, and spiritually (Mk 1:40-45). Many Christians, such as St. Damian, St. Francis of Assisi, and Mother Theresa, have been inspired to imitate this story literally. In different ways, all of Christ's followers are called to continue Jesus' mission of healing, caring and praying for the sick, and seeking to integrate those on the margins into our community.

Why do good people suffer? (5 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year B)

The book of Job grapples with some of life's most difficult questions. Why do we suffer when we have done nothing wrong? Why does God feel absent at times? In the Gospel today (Mk 1:29-39) Jesus confronts these challenges. He shows us that, in the end, all suffering will be destroyed. In the meantime, Jesus is very close to those who suffer. This care is expressed in a special way in the Sacraments of healing, Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick.

Who has authority over you? (4 Sunday Ordinary Time, year B)

In one way or another, we are under someone's authority. Human authority tends to oppress and fails to lead us to the fulness of life. In the Gospel (Mark 1:21-28) we learn that Jesus has absolute authority, yet uses this authority to serve and give new life. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul encourages us all to put ourselves under Christ's loving lordship.

Mission gives life purpose (3 Sunday Ordinary Time, year B)

When we lack a mission our purpose, we can lack joy and a sense of person. The readings today show us that Jesus has called each of us to be part of a community, loving God, serving our neighbour and building a more just world. We should never think we are not good enough. We all have talents God wants us to use for mission.

3 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year B

Jonah 3:1-5, 10; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20

What does God’s voice sound like? (2 Sunday Ordinary Time, year B)

The First Reading (1 Sam 3) and the Gospel today (Jn 1:35-42) encourage us to reflect on how we can hear the word of God in our lives. We can perhaps think that God will call us in a clear way as he did for Samuel. However, John's Gospel shows us that we often hear the voice of God through other people, and can have trouble understanding what God is calling us to, and learn more about God's plans for us as we journey with Jesus and participate in His mission.