Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s gospel, Jesus has a few questions about his own identity. First, he asks, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” and then he asks, “But who do you say that I am?” It’s not that Jesus is overly concerned with public opinion. Nor is it that he has forgotten who he is and is inquiring in order to be reminded.
Consider this. We are social creatures. We live together, we form communities, we exchange information. The words and beliefs of one person or a group of people can significantly influence and shape our lives. How do we first come to know Christ if not through the words and beliefs of others? This is good. It’s an essential aspect of what it means to be a Christian community. But it does not stop there. Jesus’ second question, “But who do you say that I am?” beckons an intimate, personal reflection not only based on hearsay.
Jesus longs for a personal encounter with each and every one of us so that we might experience his love, mercy, and grace and be able to speak like Peter in saying who Jesus is for us.