Who Do You Say That I Am?

You! Yes, I mean you! Jesus is asking you: “Who do YOU say that I am?” He’s not looking for the answer you learned at your Mama’s knee or the Catholic catechism answer. Nor does he want what the books say or the bumper stickers, or the easily accessible Internet.

Jesus made his first question easy – who do people say that I am? The disciples parroted back what they’d heard others say, but Jesus pushes them to move to what they are hearing within their own being: “But you, who do you say that I am?” Like the disciples, each of us must answer the question for ourselves based on our own lived faith experience AND God’s word revealed in the privacy of our lectio-moments of intimate conversation with God.

How we answer Jesus’ question “Who do you say that I am?” has everything to do with who WE are. In some ways our answer says as much or more about us than who Jesus is to us. It reveals how we live and what we stand for. It guides our decisions, and determines the actions we take, the words we speak. We need to constantly remind ourselves: It’s not what people look at, it’s not what we say. It’s what people hear, how they interpret, what they remember.

In some sense there is no “once and for all time, finally and forever” answer to Jesus’ query: “Who do you say that I am? We are constantly engaging his question and in so doing, we not only discover Jesus anew. We discover ourselves anew.

During the coming week you are invited to look into a mirror (real or imaginary) and turn the question around. Ask Jesus: “Who do you say that I am? Why do you love me so much?”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

Have a good week! Be safe from the coming storm and pray for folks who may not be so fortunate.

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20

This is the same Gospel story we will hear again in two weeks: today it’s Mark’s version; later this month we will hear the evangelist Luke’s memory of this same event.

We read: 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 Messiah of God.” He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. (But, what follows He agreed I could share with you. It’s part fact; a good bit fantasy – or is you might say, prayer.)

The early morning sky held promise of a beautiful sunrise. I was sitting by the lake when Jesus quietly joined me. I sensed He was inviting me into an in-depth conversation. Let’s walk a bit for our heart-to-heart exchange. Notice all the lovely things God places in our path: the trees and plants, the squirrel scurrying along clutching an acorn so big the weight is making balance a challenge. Do you hear the gleeful voices from nearby – the happy sounds of children at recess? Listen closely to the clear shrill song from above of birds welcoming the new day.

(I suggest to Jesus) “This looks like a good spot, let’s sit a spell.” Jesus is in a pensive mood. He sits quietly, pondering, staring at the water. Turning to me (and to you) with a quizzical look on His face, He asks: “What are people saying about me? Who do people say that I am?” Quiet surrounds us as I ponder my tumbling thoughts. I’m always curious to know what others say about Jesus. But, this time His question invites a personal response. At first I echo what Peter said: “You are the Messiah of God.” Probing deeper, I realize that for me, Jesus is everything. He knows me intimately. But with this question he’s asking how well I know Him. The thoughts of my heart tumble around. I turn to Him and take a hesitant chance: “Let me ask you this: Who do YOU say that I am? Why do you love me so much?” Without a second’s hesitation, Jesus smiles, shakes his head and touches my heart with his response. I needed that warm fuzzy. His message is what I will carry, treasure, nurture in all the days that follow.

May I suggest to you: Today be brave; in your private time with Jesus turn his question back to Him: “You, who do you say that I am? Why do you love me so much?” Sing your own tune for the words of our Responsorial Psalm: “I love the Lord because He heard me; because He inclined His ear to me the day I called … and freed my eyes from tears and my feet from stumbling. Alleluia!”