Catholic Identity  

Gospel Reflection 

Gospel Reflection 

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 

Summary  

Jesus tells his disciples that difficult times are ahead for him — that he will suffer, die and then rise again. Peter doesn’t want to hear this and tells Jesus that it shouldn’t happen. 

Jesus challenges Peter because following God isn’t always about choosing what is easiest or most comfortable. 

Jesus then tells his followers that if they want to follow him, they need to be willing to put others before themselves, make difficult choices and live as he lived. He reminds them that gaining everything we want means very little if we lose sight of who God is calling us to be. 

Scripture – Matthew 16:21-27 

Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. ‘Heaven preserve you, Lord;’ he said ‘this must not happen to you.’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’ 

  Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life? 

  ‘For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and, when he does, he will reward each one according to his behaviour.’ 

Reflection 

We all like it when things are easy! But sometimes doing the right thing is harder than doing the easy thing. 

It can be easier to walk away than to help. It can be easier to stay quiet than to stand up for someone. It can be easier to stay angry than to forgive. It can be easier to think about ourselves than to put someone else first. 

Jesus tells us that following him means choosing his way, even when it costs us something. 

When Jesus talks about “taking up our cross,” he isn’t telling us to go looking for difficult things. He is reminding us that love sometimes asks something of us. It might ask us to be patient, brave, generous, forgiving or kind when we don't really feel like it. 

These choices might seem small, but they are some of the everyday ways we choose to follow Jesus. 

Reflection Questions 

• What is one choice you made recently that was difficult, but you knew was the right thing to do? 
• When is it hardest for you to put someone else first? 
• Who helps you make good choices when something is difficult? 
• What might following Jesus look like in our family this week? 

Prayer 

Loving God, 

Thank you for showing us how to love through Jesus. 

Help us to follow you not only when it is easy, but also when doing the right thing is difficult. 

Give us courage to stand up for others, patience when things are frustrating, generosity to put others first, and hearts that are ready to forgive. 

Help our family to choose love in the little things we do each day. 

Amen. 

Class Masses 

Each Friday, one of our classes attends the 12:10pm parish Mass in St Kilian’s Hall with our Pastoral Care Group also attending the First Friday Anointing Mass each month. 

Students are encouraged to actively participate in the Mass through roles such as readers, altar servers, and bringing forward the gifts. These experiences help students grow in confidence and deepen their understanding of the Mass and Catholic traditions. 

This initiative is also a valuable way of continuing to strengthen the connection between our parish and school communities, while encouraging students to take an active role in faith and community life.