Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton

05/09/2026

03/09/2026

Take Two with Jesus Friday Reflection

Jesus reveals the way of life.

"Jesus continued,
‘For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world
but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?’"
(Mt 16:26)

Jesus is playing between two different ideas of ‘life’ – we can call them the ‘true self’ and the ‘false self’. Too well we know how the impulsive selfish desires of the false self undermine our life of faith and true human growth. Jesus challenges us to seriously consider the values we live by and ask ourselves what type of person we are becoming.

Loving Jesus, let me see what my true self would be as I listen to your call.
Our Father
who art in heaven
hallowed be thy name.
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.

Continue your prayer through this day by dwelling on how you can allow love to flow through you.

"Christ carrying the Cross" by Lorenzo Lotto.

This week’s reflections are based on the Gospel reading for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A (Mt 16:21-27). Further reflections on this Gospel can be found at https://prayasyoucan.com.au/sunday_programmes/22nd-sunday-year-a-2/.

03/09/2026

We have 8 spots left in our diocesan group travelling to Ignite Conference, but they won't last much longer. All high school aged young people are welcome. Register quickly to make sure you don't miss out!

Find all the details at https://rok.catholic.net.au/services-agencies/youth-ministry/ignite-conference/.

Some donors have generally offered to sponsor young people who would have trouble affording to go. So if finances are a barrier please get in touch at [email protected].

31/08/2026

Take Two with Jesus Tuesday Reflection
Jesus reveals the way of life.

"But Jesus turned and said to Peter,
‘Get behind me, Satan. You are an obstacle in my path
because you are thinking not as God thinks
but as human beings do.’"
(Mt 16: 23)

Jesus had recently called Peter ‘the Rock’. Well, he cracked on his own ideas of success. We are earthenware vessels, holding the mystery of God’s grace. At all times, we need humility to be guided into God’s ways.

Loving Jesus, let me be conscious of my own fragility and know that this will give me the confidence to trust in your ways.

Our Father
who art in heaven
hallowed be thy name.
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.

Continue your prayer through this day by asking yourself how easily you rely just on yourself.

"Christ carrying the Cross" by Lorenzo Lotto.

This week’s reflections are based on the Gospel reading for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A (Mt 16:21-27). Further reflections on this Gospel can be found at https://prayasyoucan.com.au/sunday_programmes/22nd-sunday-year-a-2/.

31/08/2026

Take Two with Jesus Monday Reflection
Jesus reveals the way of life.

"Taking him aside, Peter began to remonstrate with Jesus,
‘Heaven preserve you, Lord, this must not happen to you.’"
(Mt 16:22)

Peter had just been given an extraordinary grace into who Jesus was…and he misunderstood it. He interpreted this grace according to the accepted understanding of ‘Messiah’. It would take the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, the giving of the Spirit and a life time of experience for him to discover who Jesus truly was and is.

Loving Jesus, let me accept that you use all the events of life to teach me about the mystery of who you are.

Our Father
who art in heaven
hallowed be thy name.
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.

Continue your prayer through this day by pondering how your understanding of Jesus has grown in your life.

"Christ carrying the Cross" by Lorenzo Lotto.

This week’s reflections are based on the Gospel reading for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A (Mt 16:21-27). Further reflections on this Gospel can be found at https://prayasyoucan.com.au/sunday_programmes/22nd-sunday-year-a-2/.

29/08/2026

Congratulations to Fr Bang on the 13th Anniversary of his Ordination. Thank you for answering God's call

28/08/2026

Take Two with Jesus Friday Reflection
Jesus’ Father enlightens our faith.

"Jesus continued,
‘I will give you the keys of the kingdom;
whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven;
whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’"
(Mt 16:19)

When we look to Matthew 18:18, we see that this binding and loosening relates to forgiveness. Peter, the one who so often failed, is the one given the power to forgive or to refuse forgiveness. How apt!

Loving Jesus, let me dwell on how your forgiveness works in my life so that, in turn, I may be ready to forgive.

Our Father
who art in heaven
hallowed be thy name.
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.

Continue your prayer through this day by dwelling on your experience of being forgiven and of offering forgiveness.

"Christ Giving the Keys of the Kingdom to St. Peter"by Perugino

This week’s reflections are based on the Gospel reading for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A (Mt 16:13-20). Further reflections on this Gospel can be found at http://www.prayasyoucan.com.au/sunday/show/218/gospel.

26/08/2026

Take Two with Jesus Thursday Reflection
Jesus’ Father enlightens our faith.

"Jesus continued,
‘So I say this to you:
You are Peter and on this rock, I will build my church.’ "
(Mt 16:18)

Peter, a ‘rock’!?! Of himself, no, definitely not. Jesus knew that, the disciples knew that and Peter himself, sort of, knew that. Impetuosity and cowardice would plague him all his life. Jesus knew that. But grace works through our weakness. Peter would fail, again and again, but Peter would also seek forgiveness. Such humility is the firmest foundation for our Church and the greatest witness for our faith.

Loving Jesus, let me appreciate that greatness lies in humility and the royal road to humility is to accept that sometimes I fail but always you are there to lift me up.

Our Father
who art in heaven
hallowed be thy name.
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.

Continue your prayer through this day by pondering how readily you are prepared to recognise your failings and repent.

"Christ Giving the Keys of the Kingdom to St. Peter" by Perugino

This week’s reflections are based on the Gospel reading for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A (Mt 16:13-20). Further reflections on this Gospel can be found at http://www.prayasyoucan.com.au/sunday/show/218/gospel.

25/08/2026

Take Two with Jesus Wednesday Reflection
Jesus’ Father enlightens our faith.

"Jesus replied,
‘Simon, son of Jonah, you are a happy man!
Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you
but my Father in heaven.’ "
(Mt 16:17)

Our ‘happiness’ is not to be a state of jolliness coming from good exercise and a positive outlook. It comes from knowing that God is central to our existence and that the Father is working to form the face of his Son in the reality of our daily lives. Happiness happens when we realise that God’s grace is embedded in our flesh and blood.

Loving Jesus, open my eyes, shape my life according to the blessedness, the happiness that is your life in your Son.

Our Father
who art in heaven
hallowed be thy name.
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.

Continue your prayer through this day by recognising how the goodness of your life comes from God.

"Christ Giving the Keys of the Kingdom to St. Peter" by Perugino

This week’s reflections are based on the Gospel reading for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A (Mt 16:13-20). Further reflections on this Gospel can be found at http://www.prayasyoucan.com.au/sunday/show/218/gospel.