The Extra Meisl: Sunday Gospel Reflections
by Fr. Nick Meisl
Join Catholic priest Fr. Nick Meisl for weekly homilies rooted in the Sunday Mass readings. Each message invites you to encounter God’s love more deeply and to live the Gospel with faith and joy. Fr. Nick preaches from St. Peter’s Parish in New Westminster, where he serves as Pastor, and brings the insight of a biblical scholar and Professor at St. Mark’s and Corpus Christi Colleges at the University of British Columbia.
Episodes
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Halloween, Saints, and Cemeteries: The Power of the Resurrection
What do Halloween costumes, statues of saints, and visiting a cemetery have in common? Each can remind us of the transforming power of Jesus' resurrection. As we celebrate Halloween, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day, we reflect on how Christ frees us from fear, calls us to holiness, and gives us...
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Love God, Love Your Neighbour: The Greatest Commandment and the Fourth Wise Man
When Jesus is asked to identify the greatest commandment, he responds by connecting our love for God with our love for our neighbour. Drawing on the ancient Jewish prayer known as the Shema and the moving story of Artaban, the fourth wise man, we discover that serving others is one of the most...
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Render to Caesar, Give to God: What Jesus Teaches Us About Politics and Belonging
As elections take place around us, Jesus’ teaching about paying taxes to Caesar offers an important lesson about our responsibilities as Christians in society. We are called to participate in civic life, promote the common good, and care especially for those on the margins. But Jesus reminds us…
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Recharge Your Spiritual Batteries: The Power of Gratitude
Thanksgiving offers us an opportunity to recharge not only our physical batteries but also our spiritual ones. Through the readings of Scripture, we discover that God's blessings remain present even during times of difficulty, and that gratitude helps us recognize and receive these gifts. By...
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Where Is God in the World Today? Bearing Fruit as God’s Vineyard
Jesus’ parable of the vineyard reminds us that one of the primary ways God is present in the world is through his people, who are called to bear the fruits of God’s kingdom. The strong prophetic tone of the Gospel highlights both the privilege and the responsibility of making God’s truth…
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How Christ Transforms Our Suffering (Philippians 2 and Life Is Beautiful)
Suffering can change the way we see ourselves, others, and even God, but St. Paul offers a different way of understanding it in his Letter to the Philippians. In Christ, God does not remain distant from human pain but empties himself, enters into our suffering, and brings the hope of…
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It Is Never Too Late to Follow Jesus: Grace, Generosity, and the Workers in the Vineyard
God’s grace is a gift that cannot be earned, and comparison with others can prevent us from recognizing his generosity in our own lives. God calls every person to take part in the mission of Christ because everyone has gifts that are needed in the Church. No matter our age, history, or stage of...
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God’s Mercy and the Challenge of Letting Go
God forgives us a debt we could never repay, and that mercy becomes the foundation of our own call to forgive others. Forgiveness is difficult, especially when wounds are deep, but it can free us from resentment even while healing takes time. The more deeply we recognize the mercy we have…
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When Someone Hurts Us: Jesus’ Path to Reconciliation
Jesus teaches us not to respond to hurt with gossip or retaliation, but to take courageous steps toward honest conversation and reconciliation. Sometimes we need the help of trusted people and the wider community to see a conflict clearly, because our own hurts can distort the way we understand...
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Turning Our Crosses into Crucifixes: How Christ Transforms Suffering
Suffering is a reality that none of us can completely avoid, but Christ shows us that it does not have to remain meaningless or destructive. When suffering is joined to love and to the presence of Jesus, it can be transformed and begin to bear life. We are invited to name the crosses we carry and...
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Peter the Rock - Faithful even in failure
Peter is called the rock because of his strong faith, but his story also shows that he was capable of misunderstanding Jesus and failing badly. What made Peter a foundation for others was not perfection, but his willingness to return to Christ, continue following him, and carry out the mission he...
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Why Did Jesus Call the Canaanite Woman a Dog? Faith and Perseverance in Matthew 15
In the Gospel encounter with the Canaanite woman, Jesus' words can initially sound harsh and even shocking. By looking at the wider context, we discover a passage about God's salvation opening to the Gentiles and a woman whose remarkable faith refuses to give up when obstacles are placed before...
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Stepping Out of the Boat: Finding Christ in Troubled Waters
The Bible presents the sea as both beautiful and life-giving, yet also as a symbol of chaos, danger, and forces beyond human control. In the Gospel, Jesus reveals his divine authority by walking upon the troubled waters and inviting Peter to step out of the boat and come toward him. Christ...
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The Economics of God’s Kingdom: How Jesus Multiplies What We Give
In the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus reveals the economics of the Kingdom of God: when we offer what we have, he multiplies it for the good of others. The generous banquet of Jesus stands in sharp contrast to Herod’s selfish banquet, which ends in the death of John the Baptist. The Gospel...
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The Hidden Treasure: Rediscovering the Joy of Following Jesus
Jesus’ parable of the treasure hidden in a field reminds us that the kingdom of heaven is not merely an obligation but a gift of immeasurable value. Like people who discover that an ordinary household object is actually priceless, Christians can become so accustomed to their faith that they lose...
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Why Jesus Teaches in Parables: Living in the Kingdom of God
Jesus teaches through parables because the kingdom of God is a mystery into which we must enter, rather than a problem that can be answered quickly and neatly. The parables of the wheat and weeds, the mustard seed, and the yeast show that God’s kingdom is already present but not yet complete…
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Which Voice Are You Listening To? Letting God’s Word Bear Fruit
Every day, many voices compete for our attention, but God’s word is the voice that gives life, nourishes our hearts, and produces lasting fruit. The example of St. Anthony and the parable of the sower show what can happen when we receive Scripture as a personal word from Christ. We prepare good...
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Jesus’ Easy Yoke: Finding Rest When Life Feels Heavy
Jesus does not promise a life without responsibilities, but he does promise rest to those who carry their burdens with him. When our work and duties are motivated by love of God and neighbour, the weight of these burdens is transformed. The Mass, like the Sabbath, helps us remember our deepest...
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Hospitality: Welcoming Christ in the Stranger
As Vancouver welcomes the world during the World Cup, the readings invite us to reflect on the deeper Christian meaning of hospitality. From the Shunammite woman who welcomes Elisha, to St. Benedict, St. Vincent de Paul, Dorothy Day, and Pope Francis, the Church teaches that in welcoming the...
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Why We Should Not Be Afraid: Jesus, Fear, and the Love of the Father
Fear is a natural part of human life, but it can become harmful when it holds us back from loving God, loving others, and following Christ more fully. In the Gospel, Jesus reminds us that God is a loving Father who knows us intimately, cares for us deeply, and sees even the smallest details of…
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Corpus Christi: Receiving the Eucharist and Becoming the Body of Christ
This Corpus Christi reflection explains that the Eucharist is the greatest gift we receive, Jesus himself becoming bread for our journey. Yet the Eucharist does not leave us as passive receivers; it transforms us into the body of Christ, sent out to become a gift for others. Our “Amen” at…
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Made for Communion: The Trinity, Artificial Intelligence, and the Meaning of Being Human
Pope Leo’s new encyclical on artificial intelligence invites us to ask what makes human beings truly human. On Trinity Sunday, we remember that we are made in the image of the Triune God, which means we are made not for isolation or mere efficiency, but for communion, love, and relationship....
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Pentecost: The Birthday of the Church and the Mission of Every Catholic
Pentecost reminds us that the Holy Spirit gathers people of many languages, cultures, and backgrounds into one family of faith. The Spirit does not erase our diversity, but unites us in Christ and sends us to continue his mission in the world. Through baptism and confirmation, each of us receives…
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Why Jesus Had to Leave: The Ascension, Pentecost, and Becoming the Body of Christ
The Ascension can seem strange at first because we are celebrating Jesus leaving his disciples behind. Yet Jesus leaves not to abandon us, but so that we can grow into his mission and become his presence in the world. As we prepare for Pentecost, we ask for hearts open to the Holy Spirit, who…
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The Holy Spirit, Our Advocate: A Mother’s Day Reflection on God’s Presence With Us
On Mother’s Day, we give thanks for mothers, grandmothers, and all those who have cared for us with patience, sacrifice, and love. Jesus promises in the Gospel that he will not leave his disciples orphaned, but will send the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, to remain with them and strengthen them. The...
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From Carpenter to Cornerstone: Jesus the Builder of God’s Home
Jesus is not only a carpenter but a builder, the one who prepares a dwelling place for us in the Father’s house. Through his rejection, self-sacrifice, forgiveness, and love, Christ becomes the cornerstone of the spiritual home God is building. As members of his Body, we are called to become a...
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Hearing the Voice of the Good Shepherd in a Noisy World
We live in a world filled with competing voices that shape our thoughts, emotions, and decisions. The voice of Christ, like that of the Good Shepherd, can be recognized by the lasting peace it brings, even when it calls us to change. The Christian task is to create space to hear that voice and to...
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Did We Miss the Resurrection? Finding Christ Today on the Road to Emmaus
The feeling of missing out, so common in a world shaped by social media, can also affect how we view the resurrection, as though we were born too late to encounter Christ. The road to Emmaus reveals that the risen Jesus is still present today, especially in the Scriptures, the Eucharist…
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Divine Mercy Sunday: Living God’s Mercy in a World That Needs Peace
Divine Mercy Sunday reminds us that God’s mercy is active, reaching out to those who suffer and meet us in our struggles. In a world marked by conflict and indifference, we are called to live that mercy concretely by working for peace and building loving communities. Trusting in Christ’s victory,...
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How the Resurrection Changes Everything: A New Perspective for Easter Sunday
The resurrection of Jesus is a truth that radically changes how we see the world, just as major discoveries in history reshaped human perspective. Like the first disciples, encountering the risen Christ transforms fear into courage and despair into hope. When truly believed, the resurrection…
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Easter Vigil Homily: From Tomb to Womb, How the Resurrection Changes Everything
The resurrection of Jesus is the turning point of history that brings about a new creation and a new way of life. Through baptism, believers die to the old life of sin and are reborn into the life of Christ, called to live as light in the world. This new life is not lived alone, but with the...
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The Way of Christ vs the Way of the World: A Good Friday Reflection on Peace, Power, and True Victory
There are two ways before us: the way of violence, power, and retaliation, and the way of Christ, marked by love, sacrifice, and peace. In the Passion, especially as presented in John’s Gospel, Jesus reveals that true victory comes not through force but through self-giving love. We are invited,...
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What Does It Mean to Be Human in Christ? Holy Thursday, Service, and the Transforming Power of the Eucharist
Holy Thursday invites us to reflect on what it truly means to be human in Christ: to live in communion, to serve others, and to be transformed by grace. Through the Eucharist, we are drawn into unity and shaped into the likeness of Jesus. Ultimately, it is not our own effort, but Christ himself…
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The True Story of Holy Week: Why Jesus Is Not the Messiah We Expected
Holy Week invites us to reflect on whether we are truly hearing the story of Christ or projecting our own expectations onto him. While many expected a Messiah of power and violence, Jesus reveals a radically different path of love, service, and sacrifice. The rituals and stories of this week are...
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From Tomb to Life: Finding Hope in Christ’s Resurrection
The raising of Lazarus reveals that while death brings real grief, Christ transforms sorrow into hope through his power over death. By pointing to his own resurrection, Jesus shows that the life he offers is not temporary but eternal, a victory we share through baptism. Even now, this new life is...
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Seeing the World with the Light of Faith
Faith shapes the way we see and interpret the world around us. In the Gospel of the man born blind, Jesus not only restores physical sight but leads the man to a deeper vision of faith, recognizing him as Lord. Through the gift of baptism, Christ gives us the light to see God’s presence in both…
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The Thirst Only Christ Can Satisfy
The first scrutiny invites both the catechumens preparing for baptism and all the baptized to reflect on the deeper meaning of baptism in their lives. In the story of the Samaritan woman, Jesus reveals that our deepest thirst for love, purpose, and acceptance cannot be satisfied by the many…
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The Transfiguration “Glow Up”: From Mountaintop Faith to Christian Service in the World
In the Transfiguration, the disciples witness Christ’s radiant “glow up,” a glimpse of his divine glory and a preview of the resurrection. Yet the mountaintop is not a place to remain, but a moment of preparation that strengthens them to follow Jesus down into lives of service and sacrifice. When...
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From Adam to Christ: A Lenten Journey of Hope
As the Church celebrates the Rite of Election and accompanies those preparing for Baptism, Lent invites all the faithful to rediscover the meaning of their own baptismal identity. The readings contrast Adam and Christ, reminding us that while we share in humanity’s woundedness, we are being...
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Crossing the Bridge: Lent as a Courageous Step Toward New Life
The closing of the Pattullo Bridge reminds us how easy it is to cling to what is familiar, even when we know a new and better path is needed. Lent is an invitation to step away from habits and patterns that are no longer life-giving and to embrace prayer, generosity, and sacrifice with renewed...
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From Law to the Heart: How Jesus Fulfills the Commandments and Brings Hope After Tragedy
In Matthew 5:17–37, Jesus teaches that he fulfills the law not by adding more rules, but by transforming the human heart, moving from external obedience to interior conversion. In the wake of the Tumbler Ridge tragedy, this Gospel reminds us that violence begins in the heart, yet so does healing,...
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Salt, Light, and Credibility: What Real Christian Witness Looks Like Today
In a world filled with loud public claims of Christianity that are not always compelling, Jesus reminds his followers that true witness is measured not by volume or power, but by credibility. Through the images of salt and light, the Gospel shows that Christians are called to draw out the…
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The Paradox of Blessedness: Finding Fulfilment Through the Beatitudes
Jesus’ Beatitudes challenge our usual ideas of success by revealing that true blessedness is not found in comfort or status, but in right relationship with God and with one another. Even in poverty, grief, or struggle, a person can experience deep fulfilment through trust in God and a life shaped...
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Taking the Bible Off the Shelf: Why God’s Word Belongs in Daily Life
Sacred Scripture is not meant to be admired from a distance but read and lived as a daily part of Christian life. Through the Word of God, Jesus continues to speak, call, and guide believers in the midst of ordinary, busy lives, just as he did the first disciples. Even a small daily practice of...
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Loved Into Service: Why We Serve and How Ministry Brings Joy
We are first known and loved by God, and that identity comes before any call to serve. Christian service flows not from guilt or pressure, but from an overflow of God’s love that fills our lives and naturally spills out to others. Parish ministries are one way this love takes shape, as each…
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Baptized with Christ: Identity, Dignity, and Mission
On the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, this homily reflects on the meaning of Christian baptism through the voices of the early Church and the teaching of the Second Vatican Council. Baptism is presented as the foundation of Christian identity, naming us as sons and daughters of God, equal in...
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Not Safe, But Good: Following Christ Like the Magi
Following Jesus is not always safe or predictable, but it is always good, as shown in the journey of the Magi who risk everything to encounter Christ. Drawn by the star, they follow Jesus not out of fear or obligation, but because they are attracted by his goodness, truth, and beauty. This…
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More Than Resolutions: A New Year Rooted in Relationship
As the new year begins, the Church invites us to look beyond self-improvement and focus instead on relationships, especially our relationship with God who has come close to us in Jesus Christ. Through the Marian dogmas of Mary as Mother of God, the Immaculate Conception, and the Assumption, we…
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Holiness on the Run
The Gospel shows that the Holy Family was not spared hardship but knew fear, displacement, and struggle from the very beginning. Their holiness did not come from a perfect or peaceful life, but from God’s faithful presence with them in the midst of uncertainty and danger. This feast reminds us…
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God in the Diapers and the Dishes
At Christmas, we celebrate the astonishing truth that God became human, not in power or glory, but in the ordinary rhythms of family life. Through the mystery of the Incarnation, God reveals that everyday moments are not obstacles to grace, but the very places where God chooses to meet us.…
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About this show
Join Catholic priest Fr. Nick Meisl for weekly homilies rooted in the Sunday Mass readings. Each message invites you to encounter God’s love more deeply and to live the Gospel with faith and joy. Fr. Nick preaches from St. Peter’s Parish in New Westminster, where he serves as Pastor, and brings the insight of a biblical scholar and Professor at St. Mark’s and Corpus Christi Colleges at the University of British Columbia.
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