Shanborlang Mawrie csc –
Readings: Eccl 3:1-11; Lk 9:18-22
Before ending his public life, he wanted to know whether the time he had spent with people made them to know about his identity or not. To examine their hearts and convictions Jesus asked this question “Who do the crowds say that I am?” After listening to what the disciples had to say about people’s ideas regarding Messiah Jesus demanded a personal response from them, “Who do you say that I am?” The answer was immediate and direct: The Christ of God.
The question was very personal because he wanted a very personal answer. The quality of my relationship with Jesus is reflected in my personal response to him. To be a true follower of Christ, like Peter I need to know that Jesus is the one sent by the heavenly Father as my redeemer. My ideas about Jesus shouldn’t be influenced or corrupted by the popular opinion of the world around me. Jesus gives me many opportunities to know him and to deepen my faith in him through the teachings of the church, scripture, the people, and various events that are happening around me.
Looking at our growth process we know that we are weak and fragile. At any time, we might fall into the trap of this world. This being so, from the beginning of the gospel Jesus made us to know the importance of spending time in prayer. Let us grow in our personal relationship with Jesus so that at an experiential level we might be able to proclaim like Peter “Jesus, you are the Christ of God”.