The Extra Meisl: Sunday Gospel Reflections

God's grace and mercy are freely available to all. When we think we do not need God, however, God cannot help us. When we behave like this, we can often be judgmental and unmerciful towards others. In the Gospel (Luke 18:9-14), Jesus calls us to imitate the tax collector. Because he recognized his need for God, he was blessed.

Prayer is a tricky business. Sometimes we don't get what we ask for in prayer. We can feel like giving up with prayer altogether. In the Gospel (Lk 18:1-8) Jesus encourages us to persevere in prayer. God the Father will give us what is best for us. The first reading (Ex 17:8-13) hints at the idea that we can help one another to persevere in prayer.

Happy Thanksgiving! The Gospel today (Lk 17:11-19) teaches us about the power of gratitude. Gratitude is able to cut through the darkness caused by suffering and helps us to recognize the many ways God blesses us daily. Gratitude leads to joy.

Like the disciples in today's Gospel (Luke 17:5-10), because of various doubts we can think that our faith is fragile and insignificant. Jesus teaches us that true faith is expressed in faithful actions, in serving God and neighbour without hope of personal gain. Even with a little faith we can do great things in God's name.

In the story today about the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:9-13), Jesus gives us the question we will all be asked at judgement: what have you done to help the poor? Unlike the rich man in the Gospel, let us share generously with those who are in need around us. Who is a "Lazarus" in your life?

Who will welcome us into God's Kingdom? Those we have given to without counting the cost. In today's Gospel (Luke 16:1-13), Jesus describes the economics of God and teaches us an important lesson about stewardship.

In the Gospel today (Luke 15), we hear three parables which tell us about the mercy of God. God loves all. God has a special love for those who are suffering. He is always with us and seeks us out when we are in need. As Pope Francis said, "the name of God is mercy".

When Jesus tells his follows to "hate" mother, father and even our very self (Lk 14:25-33), He is not suggesting that we should distain particular individuals. Rather, He warns us that we cannot construct our identity based on family ties or social status (e.g. "I am from a wealthy and powerful family therefore I am superior" or "I am from a family of limited means and influence therefore I am of less value than other"), as was common at His time. Rather, be a disciple our identity needs to be rooted in Christ. When we do this, we can truly love others and have a proper understanding of our own dignity.

The Gospel today (Lk 14:1, 7-14) illustrates the importance of humility and shows it is so much more than a way of thinking about ourselves. True humility involves giving with no strings attached, just as God is generous with us.

Rather than closing the door of salvation to others, Jesus encourages us in the Gospel (Luke 13:22-30) to make sure that each of us personally walk through the door Christ has opened which leads to God's Kingdom.