If today’s gospel-reading succeeds in doing nothing more than reminding us that we can slip into mindless recitation of the prayer with which we are most familiar, it has been worthy of our reflection, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald. However, if it has helped us to look with new eyes at the prayer that Jesus left us, then it will be a worthwhile step towards changing our hearts and giving new meaning to what is involved in being disciples of Jesus.

Jesus has urged everyone of us who have dared to be his disciples to bring a message of peace wherever we go, reflects Christian Brother Julian McDonald. From our own experience of ourselves and others, we know that peace comes into our lives when we are affirmed and encouraged, when our broken and strained relationships are mended and we are reconciled with those from whom we have become separated and distanced, when we are treated with courtesy and respect. Such experiences give us and others the hope that we all need to keep on keeping on.

This Sunday’s Gospel reading shows us that walking in the footsteps of Jesus is not something to dabble in, as we might dabble in yoga or pilates or line-dancing, reflects Christian Brother Julian McDonald. We often say that we are committed to doing this, that or the other, and we are sincere in describing to others what it is to which we are committing ourselves. Sincere we are, but we’re not serious.

Whenever I reflect on and write about Eucharist, I recall the words which St Augustine recommended the priests of his time to say to everyone coming to them for communion, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald. As they held the sacred host to each communicant, he urged them to say: “Behold who you are, become what you receive!” In other words, he wanted everyone coming to communion to hear that they are the Body of Christ and meant to become bread broken and given for the material and spiritual nourishment of the world.

Pentecost proclaims that the Spirit of God has been let loose among us, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald. But we will not tap into that Spirit if we persist in trying to generate all the power and control ourselves. Can we allow the breath of God’s Spirit to blow in and through us?