The Extra Meisl: Sunday Gospel Reflections

In a fascinating detail from today's Gospel (John 3:7-15), Jesus compares his death on the cross to the bronze serpent Moses lifted up in the wilderness (Numbers 21:4-9). Unlike the bronze serpent, the life Jesus gives us is eternal. The promise of eternal life is a great source of hope to us especially especially during difficult times.

We often judge the Apostle Thomas harshly because he expresses doubt (John 20:19-31). Although his faith is not what it should be, we can learn from his example. Thomas is honest about his struggle and because of this Jesus can help him in his particular need. Likewise in our life, when we are honest with God about our needs He can more readily give us His mercy, healing and assistance.

Pope Francis has repeatedly encouraged us to practice the art of accompaniment, something Jesus does with the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). During the pandemic, accompaniment is more important than ever and requires creativity during this time of social distancing.

On Holy Saturday God can seem hidden, silent. Jesus lays in the tomb and things appear hopeless. Today we contemplate the places in our life where God seems silent and we feel frightened and abandoned. On Holy Saturday we try to be consoled because Jesus entered this "no man's land between death and Resurrection" and will one day take us by the hand and lead us to life (Benedict XVI, 2010).

On Good Friday we recognize that when Jesus died on the Cross for us we did not get what we deserved. Instead of death we received mercy and life. Because of what Jesus has done for us, we are transformed to become more merciful and forgiving to those who have harmed us.

On Holy Thursday we celebrate the institution of the Eucharist. How can we mark this great day at a time when many of us cannot receive Communion? Perhaps one way is by reminding ourselves that the Eucharist leads us to love and serve like Jesus, to wash the feet of others. When we try to humbly serve in this way we live a Eucharistic life.

Jesus is an unexpected kind of Messiah. The Gospels of Palm Sunday remind us of this. He does not take away our suffering, but He suffers with us, He is compassion itself. This encourages us to be compassionate to others, to be "the eyes through which Christ's compassion is to look out to the earth" (St. Teresa of Avila).