A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 9:18-22
Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" They said in reply, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, 'One of the ancient prophets has arisen.'" Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said in reply, "The Christ of God."
He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised."
REFLECTION: "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said in reply, "The Christ of God."
"To tell the Truth " was a television panel game show in which four celebrity panelists were presented with three contestants and must identify who was the "central character” whose unusual occupation or experience had been read out by the show's moderator. Three contestants claimed to be that person --of course one was telling the truth, and the other two were impostors. Four panelists asked them questions in hope to figure out who the real person was.
Through questions and analyzing the answers, and process of elimination the panelists then would make their best educated guess. It was a show very popular from 1956-1978 and has now resurfaced with the same name and same genre.
Jesus asks His apostles, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" And then after hearing what was said, Jesus then asked "But who do you say that I am?" How different the answer is when asked of people who really know Jesus. And Peter, because of the graces given to him by God, knew without a doubt who Jesus was.
Many thought of Jesus as a great prophet, miracle worker, teacher, healer, son and friend. St Peter was the first of the apostles to declare that Jesus was the Anointed One--Peter said in reply, "The Christ of God."
The you makes a big difference in the question. Jesus first asked what do they say that I am? But now He is more specific--to those who followed him--you, what do you say? What do you my chosen disciples think of me. Having followed, travelled, prayed, and eaten with Jesus and having been taught by Him, there should be no confused thoughts, no educated guesses, no weakened responses as to who Jesus is. The more time you spend with Jesus the more you will know Him.
Share your thoughts about Jesus and what you say who He is? Who is Jesus for you?
God Bless
