“But who do you say that I am?” Imagine for a moment that you and Jesus are having a quiet conversation. And in the conversation you share the different aspects of your life, your faith journey, the things that have challenged you the most and the things you are most grateful for. And in the conversation Jesus catches you off guard and says, I’m curious what do you know about me? What have you heard about me? What have people told you about me? Who do people say that I Am? And you respond by saying some say you are the Son of God, some say you were born of the Virgin Mary, still some say that you died on a cross and rose on the third day. Then Jesus looks you right in the eye, he pierces your heart with his gaze and touches that place in your soul that only God can reach; where you realize you are insignificant, naked, a sinner in need of redemption; the place every secret is revealed. Then holding your life in the palm of his hand he looks intently into your eyes and keeping his gaze on your heart he says to you personally and intimately “but who do you say that I am?” This question rocks your world. There is no place to run, no where to hide, no person to call, no book to read, no site to search; there is just you and the Truth. A question so intimate, so personal, so relational requires first-hand knowledge and experience of who Jesus is, has been and will continue to be personally to you. May you say with gratitude, thank you Jesus for helping me to realize that you are my rock, my foundation, the core of my being, the depth of my soul, the heart within my heart. Thank you for being my life, my voice, my shepherd, my salvation, the cause of my joy, the source of my inspiration, the bread that nourishes me, the drink that satisfies me, the fire that burns inside of me. Thank you for being my Lord and my God. I live because you died. I am free because you died for me. I breathe because you live inside of me. Without you there can be no me. With you all things are possible. You are the Beloved Son of God who loves me, saved me, forgave me, healed me and set me free. Who you are is all that I need.
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time