Answer

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Answer

Jesus   Question

Who Am I?

Son of the Living God

Peter

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Matthew 16:15 and 16

Jesus said to His apostles,

"Who do you say that I am?"

In replying Simon said,

"You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God."

Reflection

Some questions are very difficult to answer. They demand a lot of thought and reflection. It can take years or decades to answer some of the most challenging questions we face.

In our reading from Matthew, Jesus poses a very decisive question for His apostles. They had been following Him for some time. They had seen that there was opposition to Jesus growing in the leadership of the Jewish religious establishment. 

Some of the religious leaders were comparing Jesus to the devil. Others were talking about putting Jesus to death. Many were troubled that He had been doing healings on the Sabbath.

In this atmosphere many of the apostles must have been wondering exactly who Jesus was and what His mission was all about. Jesus had been clear. He came proclaiming Good News about the Kingdom of God. He came as a healer. He wanted to lift people up and liberate those who were in captivity.

In posing the question of His identity to the apostles, Jesus was making Himself very vulnerable. Would His apostles also reject Him?

Simon responds quickly and firmly. He tells Jesus that he knows that Jesus is the Messiah. He goes even further and proclaims Jesus as the Son of the Living God. 

Jesus is impressed with the faith of Simon and tells him and the other apostles that Simon will now be known as Peter. He is the rock on which the Church will be established.

The question for the apostles is, of course, also the question for us. It is one that we each have to answer individually. Who do we think Jesus is?

Is Jesus different from every other person who has lived? Is he truly the Son of the Living God?

As we all pray over and reflect upon this important question, it leads us to ponder the scriptures and to try to ascertain in whom we are to believe.

As we answer that question, we determine what will be the foundation, the rock, of our lives. Will we follow Jesus or is there someone or something else that we feel is more worthy of our allegiance, our commitment and our faith?

1. What are some of the most difficult questions you have had to face in your life?

2. How would you answer the question from Jesus?

3. Do you think that Jesus is different from every other person who has ever lived?

4. What do you feel about the foundation, the rock, of your life as you ponder Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)