I recently gave a talk to my neighbours (the Madonna House community) and some of their friends in preparation for Christmas. In it, I try to reflect on what we can learn from the nativity story during this Christmas in a pandemic. In addition, I bring in some of Pope Francis' teaching from his most recent encyclical Fratelli Tutti.
The Mandalorian and a COVID Christmas
The Mandalorian and the Nativity both tell the story of a child entering a dark world who, though rejected by some, has the potential to bring hope and a new direction to life. Don't worry, there are no spoilers in this reflection for the 4th Sunday of Advent!
Rejoicing in a dark place (3rd Sunday of Advent)
Living in a pandemic, it can be very hard to appreciate how we are supposed to rejoice on this Gaudete (Rejoice!) Sunday. The Gospel today (John 1) gives us hope. It tells us that Jesus is light in the darkness. When we are in a dark place, a little light makes a big difference. We can rejoice by recognizing the small ways Jesus is a light to us and by being a light to those around us.
COVID Desert (2nd Sunday of Advent)
The COVID pandemic has been like the wilderness or desert experiences we read about in the Bible. At different times, God's people found themselves in a literal or figurative desert. These were times of suffering, confusion and disruption. We can have hope because in the midst of these desert experiences God always proclaims a message of comfort to his people: God's saving help is on the way! Desert experiences are transformed into times of renewal. We, like the people in the readings today (Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1:1-8), are called to prepare ourselves to receive this salvation that comes at Christmas in a new way.
The Gospel of Luke: Turning the World Upside Down (with Fr. Nick Meisl)
Here's a talk I gave recently on the Gospel of St. Luke:
Living Advent in a pandemic (1 Sunday Advent)
Every Advent season - especially an Advent during a pandemic - is a special time to pay attention to how God is working in our life and world. As the Gospel (Mk 13:33-37) tells us, we need to "Be watchful! Be alert!". God is trying to teach us something. Let us pay attention.
Audio only:
Use it or lose it! (33 Sunday ofOT)
God has given each one of us incredibly valuable gifts. In the Gospel (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus teaches us that we will be judged based on how well we have used these gifts. This challenges us to change our perspective regarding what it means to follow Jesus well. Instead of focusing solely on the bad actions that we commit, we also need to pay close attention to those good actions that we neglected to do.
Be prepared! (32 Sunday Ordinary time)
Waiting is difficult! Today's Gospel (Matthew 25:1-13) shows us that the tension of waiting is an opportunity for growth. We prepare ourselves to meet Jesus by growing in faith and the practice of charity. This challenge is particularly important during the pandemic, during which we can accept regulations and other sacrifices out of love and concern for others. In addition, reaching out to the lonely and isolated is especially important now.
Longer audio version:
Saints are like pumpkins
The Feast of All Saints reminds us we are all called to be saints. Jesus' beatitudes are a roadmap for how we can be holy. Saints are people who let God's light shine through them.
Longer audio version:
One question with three answers (30 Sunday OT)
When asked, "what is the greatest commandment?" it is significant that Jesus answers with more than one commandment (Mt 22:34-40). We need to love God... but... we can't really love God unless we love our neighbour... but... we can't really love our neighbour unless we love ourselves. To love God, then, we need to love others (especially the difficult ones) in a way that shows we actually like them.
Longer audio version:
Voting and Jesus (29 Sunday of Ordinary time)
Have you voted yet? In today's Gospel (Matthew 22:15-21) Jesus does not tell us who to vote for, but He does indicate important principles that should guide our participation in the political process. In escaping a trap set by Pharisees and Herodians, Jesus wants His hearers to recall they are made in God's image. In doing this He restores dignity to people who were oppressed by Rome and reminds them they belong to God and are to build up God's Kingdom. These are truths we should remember when we vote.
Longer audio version:
Longer audio version:
How does God act in the world? (27 Sunday Ordinary Time)
In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us that God shows love and care for the world through his people. We are God's vineyard, the way He produces good fruit in the world (Mt 21:33-43). Today, on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, we are reminded that one way we can bear good fruit is by working to strengthen bonds of love and fraternity among all people.
Longer audio version:
https://theextrameisl.podbean.com/e/how-does-god-act-in-the-world-27-sunday-ordinary-time/
Longer audio version:
https://theextrameisl.podbean.com/e/how-does-god-act-in-the-world-27-sunday-ordinary-time/
Kenosis instead of crankiness (26 Sunday Ordinary Time)
During the pandemic 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) and accepting losses for the good of others we can ensure our loses do not wound us and lead to crankiness.
Longer audio version:
That's not fair! (25th Sunday of Ordinary Time)
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.
THE wedding reading
Paul's hymn to love (1 Cor 13), which we hear in the first reading a Mass today, is by far the most popular reading for weddings. For good reason! This beautiful reading is a challenge for all of us. It teaches us that love is above all a verb - an action - and encourages us to become more like God who is love (1 Jn 4:8).
A tip for making forgiveness easier (24 Sunday of Ordinary Time)
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.
A longer audio version can be found here:
https://theextrameisl.podbean.com/e/a-tip-for-making-forgiveness-easier/
A longer audio version can be found here:
https://theextrameisl.podbean.com/e/a-tip-for-making-forgiveness-easier/
A love that gives hope
Happy Mother's Day! Mothers love us in a way that is is very focused, particular and sacrificial. It is a love that fills us with hope, especially when things are difficult. This is the kind of love and care Jesus shows his followers in today's Gospel (John 14:1-12), part of his "farewell discourse" which is like his last will and testament to us.
Leading like the Good Shepherd
Happy Good Shepherd Sunday! Rather than leaders who are out to enrich themselves, Jesus shows us that true leadership involves sacrificing ourselves so that others may have life (John 10:1-10). All baptized are challenged to live this way. We pray in a particular way today for vocations to priesthood and consecrated life where this call is expressed in a beautiful way.
Going to the margins
Pope Francis has emphasized our need to "go to the margins". Our mission of evangelization should start with those in most need. We see this in Philip's interaction with the Ethiopian eunuch in today's first reading (Acts 8:26-40). In evangelizing the Ethiopian, Philip makes the outsider a part of the community.
The Gospel of St. Mark recorded webinar
Recently I enjoyed giving a webinar on the Gospel of St. Mark for the Archdiocese of Vancouver. If you are interested, you can find a link to the recorded talk below. The webinar explains some of the general characteristics of the Gospel, analyzes a few important texts (e.g. Jesus' encounter with the Syrophoenician woman in Mk 7:24-30), and discusses how the message of Mark can inspire our life of discipleship.
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Moving from sadness to joy
How do we experience the joy of the Resurrection when we feel sad and hopeless? The story of the road to Emmaus in today's Gospel (Luke 24) shows us that when we reach out to those in need with an act of kindness we are awakened to the presence of the Risen Lord in our midst.
Hope in eternal life
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.
Divine Mercy Sunday
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.
Doubt and the resurrection
Like Jesus' first followers, we can have difficulty believing that He has truly risen from the dead. We can take hope, however, knowing that after the resurrection Jesus embarks on a mission of convincing His disciples, us included, that He is indeed risen (cf. Luke 24).
Accompaniment and social distancing
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.
Even better than normal
Happy Easter!
When will things get back to normal? Since the pandemic has begun, we have heard this question many times. We long for a return to normal. As wonderful as that will be, the Resurrection shows us that God wants better than normal for us. Jesus has brought about a greater world and each of us has a part in bringing it to fruition.
When God remains silent
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).
Mercy can't stop on the Cross
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.
Living the Eucharist
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.
Relationships and risk
The Wednesday is Holy Week is sometimes called "Spy Wednesday" because today's Gospel (Matthew 26:14-25) tells us about Judas' betrayal. A lesson we learn from Spy Wednesday is that relationships are always a risk. Jesus shows us that it is a risk worth taking.
The Wednesday is Holy Week is sometimes called "Spy Wednesday" because today's Gospel (Matthew 26:14-25) tells us about Judas' betrayal. A lesson we learn from Spy Wednesday is that relationships are always a risk. Jesus shows us that it is a risk worth taking.
A Messiah who is compassion itself
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).
Link to video reflection:
Is God still with us?
During the Exile, the prophet Ezekiel gave hope to people who felt that they were separated from God's presence. Ezekiel reminded them that God still dwelt among his people just as he had dwelt in the Temple. God's covenant is everlasting. Ezekiel's message can give us hope during this time that may in some ways feel like an exile.
For the video message click the link below:
https://youtu.be/W5IQpz3MzUY
For the video message click the link below:
https://youtu.be/W5IQpz3MzUY
How the pandemic provokes
In today's Gospel, Jesus asks people a provocative question in order to help them see things differently and to grow (John 10:32). In this pandemic, God may be doing something similar with us.
Find hope in Jesus' promise
In the Gospel today (John 8:51-59), Jesus promises us life, that we will never see death. This is something even greater than what promised Abraham (Genesis 17). Reminding ourselves of Jesus' promise can inspire us with hope in difficult times.
Rediscover the domestic church
The pandemic is a time in the wilderness and potentially a time of growth. In this situation, God is perhaps inviting us to rediscover the idea and practice of the domestic church. Each family is a church where God is worshipped, the faith is handed down and charity is practiced. What are some practices you currently do or would like to try that build up your domestic church?
Jesus weeps and gives life
“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
Today's Gospel (John 11), in which Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, encourages us to be people of compassion and hope during the time that is given us.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
Today's Gospel (John 11), in which Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, encourages us to be people of compassion and hope during the time that is given us.
Taking risks leads to growth
Nicodemus, who appears in today's Gospel (John 7:40-53), is a character who develops greatly as a follower of Jesus. His growth comes from his willingness to take risks. Let us do the same.
What suffering reveals
Today's Gospel (John 7) refers to Jesus' "hour" (v. 30). This is the moment He is raised up on the cross. In John's Gospel, it is in the time of Jesus' greatest suffering when we discover fully who He is. Moments of suffering and challenge are moments of revelation. During this pandemic we have the opportunity to learn more about God, others and ourselves. Let us pay attention.
Selective hearing
Like the people Jesus interacts with in today's Gospel (John 5:31-47), we can have selective hearing, listening to messages that we are comfortable with and ignoring voices that challenge us. During this time it is especially important for us to check on our hearing.
God is never letting go
Happy solemnity of the the Annunciation!
This great feast celebrates the beginning of the mystery of the Incarnation (Luke 1:26-38), when God became like us in all things but sin. This is a great source of hope because it shows us that God is always with us when we suffer and struggle. In the Incarnation, God has embraced us in our weakness and is never letting go.
This great feast celebrates the beginning of the mystery of the Incarnation (Luke 1:26-38), when God became like us in all things but sin. This is a great source of hope because it shows us that God is always with us when we suffer and struggle. In the Incarnation, God has embraced us in our weakness and is never letting go.
Preserving life is greater
In today's Gospel (Jn 5:1-16) Jesus healed a man on the sabbath. In this time of pandemic, we are likewise called to adjust crucial practices of our faith to preserve life.
Jesus power crosses (social) distance
During this time of social distancing we can feel separated not just from family and friends but also from Jesus. We can question whether Jesus' grace and power can work in our lives when we are kept physically away from the Mass and Sacraments. The Gospel today (John 4:46-54) offers hope because it shows us that physical distance is no impediment to the power of Jesus.
Finding Jesus in the pandemic
Suffering is not a punishment from God. Rather, today's Gospel (John 9) shows us that Jesus is with us during hard times bringing about some good. Discovering what Jesus is doing during this pandemic will take time. A good way to start understanding this extraordinary situation is by consciously recognizing some blessing that happens each day.
The right pitch of prayer (Lk 18:8-14)
Today's Gospel (Lk 18:9-14) teaches us that there are types of prayer that God hears better than others. God hears the prayers of those who cry out in their suffering and need. Now is a time to pray.
Hospitality and Genesis 18
The encounter Abraham and Sarah have with their heavenly guests in Genesis 18 is narrated in a fascinating way and conveys an important message. The text teaches us about the power of God and therefore should give us hope. In addition, the passage reminds us of the need to provide hospitality and care to others, those we know as well as strangers. As we read in Hebrews 13:2, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
Hope and Genesis 15
During this time, I want to share some brief reflections on biblical passages that can encourage us. Here is my first attempt. It is not the flashiest thing in the world, but I hope it is helpful!
In Genesis 15, God makes an unconditional and unilateral covenant with Abraham. This covenant shows that whatever happens, whatever the people do, God will always be faithful. This message inspired hope to those who were exiled in Babylon. It reminded them that God had not abandoned them and would always be with them. This passage continues to be a source of hope for us.
2nd Sunday Ordinary Time, year A - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
2nd Sunday Ordinary Time, year A - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
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