Teachers often use questions as a way to help students learn and process information. Good questions are designed to make us think and pull together information as we formulate answers. In this weekend’s gospel, we encounter Jesus using questions as a tool to help the disciples expand their understanding of not only who Jesus was, but also what he meant in their lives.
Jesus began by asking a general question, “Who do others say that I am?” as a way to get the disciples thinking. In reality, Jesus was not concerned with what other people thought of him. He was more concerned with what the disciples thought, and more importantly for us, what you and I think and believe today. So, Jesus narrowed down his question, focusing in on his real concern, “Who do you say that I am?”In other words, what does Jesus mean to us? How does our faith in Jesus shape and form our attitudes and our reactions to the world around us?
The question, “Who do you say that I am?” is an important question for each of us to ponder. I encourage you to spend time this week pondering the question and allow the answer to come from deep in your heart. Who is Jesus to you? How does your faith in Jesus shape and form the way you respond to the challenges, the joys, and the mondain moments of life? Your answer may surprise you…
May God bless you and your loved ones today, tomorrow, and forever more.