The Extra Meisl: Sunday Gospel Reflections

We have all experienced losses. In the second reading today from Phil 2, Paul teaches his audience how to live in peace when things are taken away from them. By following Jesus' example of kenosis (= self-emptying), naming our losses, and serving other in the midst of our struggles, we can find healing and life.

26 Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

The parable of the vineyard owner and the workers that Jesus tells in the Gospel today (Matthew 20:1-16) is unsettling because it seems so unfair. Like all parables, this one is supposed to provoke and unsettle us so that we can see some deeper spiritual truths. The parable teaches us that God's grace is something we could never earn, it's pure gift. It also shows us that in God's eyes we all have the same dignity since God is equally generous with us. Finally, the Gospel challenges us to be generous like God, especially with those we don't believe deserve our generosity.

25 Sunday Ordinary Time, year A

Forgiving others can be extremely difficult. In today's Gospel (Matthew 18:21-35), Jesus tells us how important it is to forgive. We must forgive not 7 times but 77 times! In addition, by means of a parable, Jesus gives us a tip or method for how to make forgiveness easier: the more we remind ourselves of the mercy and forgiveness God and others have shown us, the easier it becomes to forgive.

24 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year A

When someone harms us or those we care about, our natural reaction can be to seek to hurt them in return. In the Gospel today (Matthew 18:15-20), Jesus points out an alternative (and challenging!) way of responding, which leads to true reconciliation.

Suffering is an unavoidable human experience. It is a problem which various religions and philosophies have grappled with. In the Gospel (Mt 16:21-27) Jesus teaches us that when suffering is combined with love it can lead to life.

22 Sunday Ordinary Time, year A

"Who do people believe the son of Man is?" Peter answered, "you are the Christ, the Son of the living God". In order to better appreciate the incredible interaction between Jesus and Peter in the Gospel (Matthew 16:13-20), it can be helpful to consider the importance of three locations: Caesarea Philippi, Calvary and the Vatican hill in Rome. 

21 Sunday Ordinary Time, A

We can be quite good at creating barriers that separate people. The readings today show us that God seeks to remove these wall, giving His grace to all.

20 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year A

The readings for the feast of the Transfiguration fill us with the hope that, in the end, God will conquer all that oppresses us: evil, sin, and death. This gives us confidence as we follow Jesus each day.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven as being a treasure or a pearl of great price that people acquire by selling all that they have (Matthew 13:44-46). Jesus reminds us that although following Him can be difficult at times - it requires selling or leaving behind certain things or ways of thinking and acting - what we gain by being His disciple is truly worth it!

(17 Sunday Ordinary Time, year A)

In the Gospel today (Mt 13:24-43) Jesus uses parables to help us better understand different mysteries about the Kingdom of God.

16th Sunday Ordinary Time, year A