Is 22:19-23
Mt 16:13-20
Mt 16:13-20

Who Do You Say That I Am?

In Sunday’s readings we are reminded that our wisdom is never the same as God’s wisdom. In the first reading, we hear that God has the power to remove the mighty from their positions of power. Paul tells us that we cannot know the mind of God, because God’s wisdom is beyond us. In the gospel, we hear the belief that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ. This is a revelation from God and not from human thought.

This excerpt from the gospel is key to all Christian belief.

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.

Peter gives the perfect answer. He has come to know and believe that Jesus is the messiah. The challenge for all of us is to answer the same question honestly. Who do you say Jesus is for you? The people of Jesus’ time had all sorts of ideas about Jesus’ identity. The same is true in our own time. But, who do you say Jesus is?

The answer to this question will tell you some honest facts about yourself and your faith or lack of it, if that is the case.

We know the stories about Peter’s human high points and low ones. In next Sunday’s gospel Peter rejects Jesus’ prediction of his passion and death. This an example of Peter who is no longer thinking as God does but as humans do. We all have some of Peter in us. We may believe in Jesus some of the time, most of the time, but what happens when we face difficult situations?

To really know Jesus is a grace and one that must be revealed to us. For many of us, it will happen little by little throughout our lives, through experience and prayer. We might even be surprised because just when we think we have it figured out, a new encounter with our loving God will change our perspective and reveal even more. Never give up the desire to get to know who Jesus is for us. 

In the end, we must encounter Jesus for ourselves. We cannot depend on someone else’s experience. Who do you say Jesus is?

How would you explain to someone who Jesus is for you?

Continuous transformation is needed in life. What steps do you need to take to be continually transformed in your relationship with Jesus?