The Extra Meisl: Sunday Gospel Reflections

Each of us hears many voices in our life (friends, co-workers, social media) which speak various words to us. Some voices bring us peace and lead us closer to God and neighbour and others do not. God's word always brings life. Can we hear His voice?

15 Sunday of OT (Mt 13:1-9)

Work can be a burden for many of us. When we find a deeper purpose in our work, it can become an easier burden and a lighter yoke.

The readings this Sunday teach us about the importance of hospitality. When we welcome the stranger we show love to Christ.

13 Sunday Ordinary Time, Year A

2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16; Rom 6:3-4; 8-11; Mt 10:37-42

Fear is a helpful thing. At times, however, it can overwhelm us. The Gospel today (Matthew 10:26-33) gives us helpful advice for keeping fear in check with faith.

What would change if we truly believe if we are precious to God? What would change if we truly believed that other people, especially those who we might not care for, are precious to God?

11 Sunday Ordinary Time

Exodus 19:2-6; Matthew 9:36-10:8

Pope Leo the Great wrote: "Our sharing in the Body and Blood of Christ has no other purpose than to transform us into that which we receive". Today, we give thanks to God for the great gift of the Eucharist.

We are made in the image of God, who a Three Persons in One. This reminds us that we find our fulfillment when we prioritize relationships and work to build unity.

At Pentecost we celebrate that the Holy Spirit makes us one family, united in diversity, which is sent on a common mission. In this family, everyone is important and have gifts to offer in service of our common mission from Jesus.

At His Ascension, Jesus does not abandon us. Rather, He gives us the strength to flourish as mature disciples. This Sunday as we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord, we are inspired by Jesus' commission to “make disciples of all nations” and are comforted by His words “I am with you always, to the end of the age”.

Happy Mother's Day!

Today's Gospel (Jn 14:15-21) comes from Jesus' farewell discourse, His last will and testament to his followers. In this, He gives his disciples hope, summarizes the core of His teaching and speaks of His success, the Holy Spirit. In a special way, Jesus entrusts us with the mission of loving others as Jesus loved us. This sacrificial love is epitomized for so many of us by the love of our mothers. As Rudyard Kipling wrote "God could not be everywhere, so he gave us mothers".