Have you ever noticed how children love to ask questions? Children ask questions because they want to learn, they want to understand. My favorite question from little ones is “why”, while it can drive a parent or teacher crazy, the question is an innocent attempt to understand the bigger picture. Similarly, teachers also like to ask questions, because a correctly worded question can cause students to think, to pull information together to formulate an answer.
In our gospel this weekend, we hear Jesus ask: “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus wanted his disciples to ponder, to question, to search for the truth. He wasn’t looking for a simple answer, Jesus wanted the disciples to think about who he was to them, about what he meant to them, and to allow the answer to come from deep within the heart.
Peter, recognized that there was something special about Jesus; but he hadn’t put all the pieces together yet. Perhaps Peter’s answer in today’s gospel, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” was the beginning of a transformation, a moment when his faith began to flourish and truly take root. It was only after Peter freed himself from his own self-limiting vision, that Jesus gave him the name Petra, which meant rock.
As a prayer this week, I encourage you to imagine Jesus asking you the question, “Who do you say that I am?” Take some time to sit in prayer and let the answer come from deep within your heart.
May God bless you and your loved ones today, tomorrow, and forevermore.