Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“But who do you say that I am?”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 9:18-22

 

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.” He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

 

Christ asks us to answer a simple question; “Who do you say that I am?”  How do you respond to this question?  Peter responds, “The Christ of God.” In this passage, we see that the apostles finally realize that Jesus is the Christ Messiah. They identify him as the priest, king and profit to all of mankind. It was by the faith placed in Peter by God that Peter recognized who Jesus was. They do not have the hindsight benefit that we have.  Jesus has not been resurrected.  No one on earth could have given him this faith. It had to come from God. We too are given that same faith, but do you see Jesus through the eyes of your faith?  Do you see Christ in your daily life?  To see Christ, one must have faith.  Faith is something that needs to exercised.  And from time to time, our faith may be challenged and put to the test.  If you do not exercise your faith, your belief in God might fail when it is challenged.

 

This gospel goes beyond just having faith, this readings was also a prophecy of Jesus’ upcoming passion and death. Jesus tells them that, “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” He tells his disciples this so they can be prepared for what lies ahead. Jesus lets them know that he must suffer before he can be truly glorified. Jesus freely accepted his fate and embraced what was going to happen to him. We all must face suffering in our lives just as Jesus did when he was crucified on the cross. We can either allow the suffering to control our lives and we can become overwhelmed with it or we can endure the suffering as a sacrifice to God in Heaven. On the cross Jesus defeated Satan and the powers of sin. Jesus’ own suffering and death on the cross gave us eternal life and freedom from the slavery of sin. Suffering provides the same grace for us. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit we can endure the suffering. Our knowledge of Christ the Redeemer encourages us to carry our cross and to live the gospels. Do not let suffering lead you from God, but closer to God.  Let the suffering strength your faith in Christ.  “Who do you say I am?”

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, you are my light and my salvation.

Take my life and make it yours now and forever.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon