The Extra Meisl: Sunday Gospel Reflections

Thinking about the Trinity can be complicated! When we get right down to it, however, our belief in the Trinity is central to who we are as baptized people. We are made for relationship and communion.

James Joyce once said that Catholic means "here comes everybody". On Pentecost we read about the birth of the Church, a united family which has great diversity of languages and backgrounds. We remember on Pentecost that the Church is a diverse body unity by the Holy Spirit. Everyone in the Church matters and we all need one another.

Pentecost 2024

At first glance, the Ascension seems like something we shouldn't really celebrate. Jesus leaves us behind and, to make matters worse, gives us an impossible mission before He goes. The Holy Spirit is the anecdote for the separation anxiety caused by the Ascension. The Comforter restores us and gives us the strength (Mark 16:15-20) for our mission of healing the separations (with God, neighbour, and creation) that resulted from the Fall.

Ascension, year B

The readings today encourage us to consider the reality of love. We learn that true love has its origin in God and always seeks the good of the other (John 15:9-17). As followers of Jesus, we are not meant to be motivated by fear. Rather, we are called to fall in love.

6 Sunday of Easter, year B

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.

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!

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. 

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

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

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)