Who Do You Say that I Am?

Thursday, August 04, 2011

Matthew 16:13-23(Who do you say that I am?)

Bl. John Paul once said that although he received his faith from his strong Catholic family, there came a certain point when he himself chose Christ.  Some of us are "cradle Catholics" and all of us have heard what the secular world has to say about who Christ is.  But each of us has to listen to the voice of the Father speaking through the power of the Holy Spirit to identify Jesus as our own Savior.  St. Peter did just that at the beginning of today's Gospel when Jesus asked the apostles who they said He was.  "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!" declared Peter.  He had the right answer, for he was listening to God.  But then Jesus tried to lead him to a deeper understanding by introducing him to the mystery of the Cross.  "God forbid, Lord!" was Peter's response.  Wrong, Peter!  You were listening to poor human nature and not to God.  Peter would not get this one right until after the Resurrection.  We too often baulk when Jesus tries to lead us to the Cross, but it is only there that we discover the depths of His identity as Merciful Love.  St. Clare would say, "Gaze upon Him, consider Him, contemplate Him and desire to imitate Him".