While today’s gospel-reading begins with the issue of how we are to deal with a family, community or parish member who has hurt another member, we have to read it in the context the parable of the lost sheep which immediately precedes our gospel-reading, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald. The bottom line is that we have to end up reconciling with the offender and restoring her or him to the community. In Jesus’ view, there is simply no room for criticising them or whinging to others about them. We have to talk directly to them and hold out to them the hand of reconciliation and forgiveness.

In the concluding lines of this Sunday’s gospel-reading, Jesus urges us to let go of anything in our lives that is empty, of little substance or self-centred, so that we might grow into a way of living that is nourished by the love of God, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald.

If we care to think about it, everything we do and say in our lives is meant to be a response to Jesus’ question: “Who do you say I am?” Most times our words and actions testify to our belief that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ of God. Sometimes we falter and miss the mark, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald.

This Sunday’s readings prompt us to ask ourselves what kinds of bigotry or racial and religious prejudices do we harbour within our hearts, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald.

This Sunday’s gospel story of the storm on the lake is not a story that is easy to understand, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald. No ordinary human being walks on water, so Peter was bound to sink when he jumped overboard, despite the fact that, as a seasoned fisherman, he was probably a good swimmer. I suggest that this event recorded by Matthew ranks side by side with the story of the Transfiguration recorded in Chapter 17, 1-8. They are both glimpses into the fact that Jesus really was from God and was, in fact, the Messiah, the Christ of God.