The Extra Meisl: Sunday Gospel Reflections

First Sunday of Advent

Advent teaches us to be ready for the arrival of Jesus, not just at the end of time, but in the various ways that Jesus enters our life each and every day.

The Solemnity of Christ the King reminds us that central to Jesus' mission was establishing the kingdom of God. Just as Jesus is a king unlike any other, so the kingdom of God is unlike any kingdom the world has ever seen.

Apocalyptic literature in the Bible, like we read about during today's Mass , is meant to inspire hope in a community that is suffering.

33 Sunday Ordinary Time year B

In the Gospel today (Mark 12:38-44), Jesus challenges us to consider who is truly great. It is not the rich, powerful or wealthy who are great. Rather, those who are generous and self-sacrificial are the ones who are truly great in God's eyes.

Jesus shows us that leaders must serve (Mark 10:35-45). This has major implications for the way that the Church exists. The Synodal process, recently inaugurated by Pope Francis, is meant to shape the Church so that it is marked by service and collaboration between all the baptized.

A paradox at the heart of Christianity is this: we find fulfillment for ourselves when we make ourselves a gift to others. This truth, which St. John Paul II called "the law of the gift", is at the heart of today's Gospel (Mark 9:30-37).

The Gospel reading for today, Mark 8:27-35 (24 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year B), discusses the identity of Jesus. The image we have of Jesus matters because it determines how we live our life as Christians. We hear in the Gospel that Peter gets some aspects of Jesus' identity correct but is very wrong when it comes to some fundamentals of who Jesus is.

In the Gospel today (Mark 7:31-37, 23 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year B), we find Jesus speaking Aramaic. This teaches us something important about Jesus' identity and the way that God works in the world.

Doubt is a normal part of our spiritual journey. Although it seems counterintuitive, when we respond to doubt in the right way, it can be an opportunity to strengthen our faith (Jn 6:60-69).

God always wants to help us when we need help. Sometimes, however, like the people in today’s Gospel (John 6), we reject God’s assistance because because it comes in a form we do not expect. Asking for help is an act of faith.