In today's Gospel, we learn firsthand that forgiveness is not an option, but a mandate from the Lord. To hold contempt is sinful, even if it may seem justified.

Jesus says that if we hold contempt, judgment falls on us. Forgive seven times seven times. We are also reminded not to present ourselves for Holy Communion if we hold contempt in our heart. If we do, we bring judgment upon ourselves.

We are reminded in the Gospel of Mathew that prayer is central to the Christian life. Jesus said that whenever two or more are gathered in His name, our Father in heaven is in their midst.

This matters on many levels of the Christian life: to allow God to be in our midst, here and now, present to us.

Peter continues to demonstrate his limitations. Just when we thought he was actually getting it, Jesus rebukes him and says get behind me Satan.

Much of the Christian life is this dynamic isn’t it? We take three steps forward and two steps back. Jesus reminds us to hang in there, to pick-up our cross and move forward.

One of the most prolific of Gospel readings is today when Jesus prompts his disciples to identify him. The response is amazing as Simon Peter son of Jonah quips , you are the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the Living God. It is at this point Jesus renames the disciple saying you are Peter, from Greek Petra, Rock, and upon this Rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

We have come to understand that Ordinary Time brings us a great opportunity to delve into some of the foundational principles of our faith.

This stretch of Ordinary Time is long and takes us all the way to Advent. Here, before us, we unfold the public ministry of Jesus through his encounters with people, his parables, and his miracles.

We learn quite well that Jesus sets us up for success; he wants us to receive in abundance what is good, even if it is the leftovers that fall from the table for dogs to eat.

When the disciples see Jesus walking on the water, he summons them to faith—a way of living that entails leaving behind our old way of measuring things and learning to see all in the light of the One who calls to us. Yet we should not be surprised that Christ often comes in ways that “underwhelm” us, as Elijah found out in the tiny whispering sound of God’s presence.

Be Christ-like In All things.

Three things scripturally that made Jesus sad. The death of his good friend Lazarus, the death of his cousin John the Baptist, and the complex betrayal he received from Judas Iscariot. He was truly devastated by these events, even though they were part of God’s overall plan. Why would Jesus find these events so disturbing is that he was vested in love and relationship with them. Jesus truly grieved these losses because he invested much.