Who Do You Say That I Am?

Scripture Reflection for the 12^th Sunday of Ordinary Time (June 23, 2013)

Scripture Readings:
Zecheriah: 12:10-11; 13:1
Psalm 63
Galatians 3:26-29
Luke 9:18-24

“Who do you say that I Am?” In any given day we participate in a myriad of discussions about a variety of issues including what we believe is right and wrong. All of us constantly give our opinions about a multitude of subjects. These opinions often roll off our tongues without a lot of reflection. Jesus’ question: “Who do you say that I am?” comes from his prayer. After spending quiet time with God, Jesus poses this question. “Who do you say that I am?” It is an important question, that each of us must ask. Who is Jesus to us? Who is God? The answer to this question will influence all that we say and do. You notice he doesn’t start with a question about the law or the commandants, but it is relationship question of who Jesus is, not to everyone else, but to me. Once again Jesus enters our life right where we are. Take a moment to reflect on your relationship with Jesus. Who is he to you? What is your favorite image of Jesus: Savior? Friend? Healer? The Way? Christ the King? What is your favorite way to relate to him? When and where do you relate to him? How does this relationship influence your other relationships? Your actions? Your thoughts? Do you invite him into all aspects of your life?

In the previous chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke we hear about the amazing miracles that Jesus performed: calming the sea, healing the woman with the hemorrhage, and bringing Jairus’ daughter back to life. People were so excited. They saw him as a prophet. They wanted to make him king. Then Jesus sent the apostles out to heal the sick and proclaim the Kingdom of God. But what does all this mean? Jesus calls the disciples to reflect. Jesus wanted to know if the disciples saw him as a miracle worker, a king, a friend the answer came from Peter, “God’s Messiah.” Yes, they were coming to understand who Jesus truly was. Coming to understand Jesus is a journey. Throughout life we get those “ah ha” moments, those whispers and inspirations. Each, of these experiences, is Jesus’ invitation to deepen our relationship with him and our understanding of who he is. Who he is to us as a church, but also who he is to me.

Jesus is God’s Messiah, what does that mean? Yes, the miracles and the call to proclaim are part of this, but Jesus invites his disciples to the next step of understanding who he is. Jesus goes on to say: ”The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders. Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Notice the word “must” is used. “Must suffer”, “must deny themselves and take up their cross.” We get the miracle and the being sent part, but suffering and the cross, that always comes as a surprise. Is our relationship with Jesus so real that we invite him to journey with us as we take up our cross? “Take up”- two more challenging words. I often “run from” or get “sucked into” taking up the cross. “To take” implies a freedom to embrace the challenges of life trusting that Jesus is going to be with us in the challenge. Alone, we often choose to run, but if we have come to a point in our relationship where Jesus truly is the Messiah, where he is our companion on the journey, than we don’t have to take up the cross alone. We can invite Jesus to journey with us. This is true for the major crosses we carry as well as the everyday crosses. What are the crosses you are facing? An illness? A difficult person to get along with? The challenge of knowing what God is calling you to do? Financial? Jesus, says, as you face the sorrows and joys of life who am I? Where do I fit in the picture? Know that wherever you are in answering these questions Jesus will be with you. Although he always invites deeper, he waits patiently till we are ready to freely say “yes”.