Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Jesus identified Himself in scripture as being “one” with the Father (Jn 10:30). He invited belief by saying, “you have faith in God, have faith also in Me” (Jn 14:1). He claimed that “no one comes to the Father, except through Me” (Jn 14:6).
In today’s Gospel passage Jesus asks his disciples a question about who people understand Him to be. Some people think He is John the Baptist, Elijah, or some other prophet reincarnated. Then Jesus asks His disciples directly, “but who do you say that I am?”
This is a monumentally important question, not only for Jesus’ first century disciples, but also for us. For how we understand Jesus, becomes the ground upon which our faith, our belief in Him, is built. In the second reading, St. James reminds us that true faith will be demonstrated by our works.
Peter, prompted by divine grace, responds to Jesus’ question by saying, “You are the Christ (Messiah)”. Then Jesus proceeds to predict His own suffering and death, and tells His disciples that they must deny themselves, take up their own crosses in imitation of Him, and follow Him. That is quite a demand!
If Jesus was simply a great teacher and miracle worker, a mere social reformer and influencer (to use a modern-day term) or only another prophet, none of those identities justify the commitment that Jesus demands of His disciples.
Do we believe that Jesus is the Incarnate God; the Savior of the World; the Way, the Truth, and the Life? If so, do our priorities, choices and actions reflect such a belief? Is our faith in Jesus’ identity, the ground for all our actions and works? Our honest answer to the Lord’s question is the key – “Who do you say that I am?”
Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life,
