This Sunday’s gospel reading challenges each of us to reflect on the extent to which our lives reflect the advent of the kingdom of God, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald. Is there anything in my words and actions that excludes or alienates anyone? Who are the “lepers” in my life, those whom I deliberately avoid because they discomfort me, disagree with me or don’t hesitate to challenge me?

Like Jesus, we all need a “deserted place” where we can connect with God and the things of the heart. It may be a daily, set time for prayer, a gentle walk in a park, a quiet corner of the back-yard or even a bathrobe - whatever keeps us aware of God’s presence in our life, and energises us to reach out in service to others., reflects Christian Brother Julian McDonald.

The first step towards finding freedom from whatever it is that restricts us is to recognise whose authority we choose to follow. Once we recognise that the source of living with wholeness is Jesus himself, we then have to take the steps to embrace his teaching, and to allow our conduct to be guided by the authority given to us by God’s Spirit planted deep within us, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald.

The immediacy of the response of Simon, Andrew, James and John to Jesus’ invitation to join him is the kind of response that the in-breaking of God’s reign on earth is required from everyone courageous enough to call themselves disciples, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald.

The busyness of modern life sometimes results in a loss of our ability to listen effectively to one another. There may well be a need for us to relearn how to listen - to the people close to us, to those we meet at work, while shopping and everywhere else, and, indeed, to God, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald.