Who do you say that I am?
Matthew 16:13–20
Here Jesus says, “Who do you say that I am?” What have you experienced? What have you personally discovered? What knowledge do you have? Every one of us has to come to that knowledge for ourselves. We can’t let someone else do our spiritual homework for us, but many of us do. Many Christians believe what we’re supposed to believe. Jesus is not only talking about the pope; he’s talking about the people of God, all of us. Peter as the symbolic leader has to do it first, but then we all participate in passing on the message. People who live their prophetic vocation are those who choose a life of love and transformation: ! We’re all going to be gone in a few years. We only get one chance to live this life of love. Every day is a lesson in love, learning how not to bind up ourselves and our neighbors, but in fact to free ourselves and others. We are Jesus’ emissaries. Jesus has handed over the mission and the mystery and the wonder of the realm of God to each of us. Until we can live every day of our lives motivated by love, rather than by fear or people in authority, this Gospel will not work. It will not change you or me, and it will not change the people around us. Let’s begin anew.
Adapted from Richard Rohr
Prayer
Who do you say that I am?
Action
Read one of the gospels reflectively. Consider the question of Jesus. Hat is your answer/ What does it Impel you to do?
Suggested Reading
Who do you say that I am?
Matthew 16:13–20
It is not enough to know something about Jesus, but rather to follow him, to let oneself be touched and changed by his Gospel.
Pope Francis
Sheer scholarship alone cannot reveal to us the gospel of grace. We must never allow the authority of books, institutions, or leaders to replace the authority of knowing Jesus Christ personally and directly.
Brennan Manning
True joy comes from knowing Christ personally and from depending on His strength rather than your own.
Jim George
Christ is not only the name of an historical personage but a reality in our own lives.
Ilia Delio
Knowing Jesus is not primarily about believing certain doctrines or historical facts about him, but rather about entering into a transformative relationship with the divine through the lens of the Christian tradition.
Marcus Borg
Knowing Jesus is more than just theological knowledge; it’s about experiencing His love and grace in a transformative way.
Elizabeth Johnson