Jesus asks me this question today “Who do you say that I am?”

 
Reading: He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Matthew 16:15.
 
Good morning, happy Wednesday, and many blessings my dear family.
 
Matthew (16:13-19) writes: “Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi with his disciples.”  As they were walking along, Jesus asked his disciples: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”  They replied, “Some believe that you are John the Baptist.  Others believe you are Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”
 
Jesus was not satisfied with answers the disciples gave.  He turned and looks at his disciples.  Then he asked, “Who do you say that I am?”  I wonder if his question surprised the disciples.  It’s not surprising that Simon was the one who answered this question.  Peter looked directly at Jesus and said from the depths of his soul: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
 
We can take great comfort from the behavior of Simon Peter! Jesus saw the colossal potential in this volatile, emotional, and generally flawed individual. He saw the solid rock-like core on which he would build his church.
 
If Peter is to be a rock, it is because he has found the rock that is Jesus. We all need strong and firm foundations for our faith and for our lives. We need strong stepping stones to guide us through life. Jesus is the way and the stepping stones. In him we need not fear for the future nor lose confidence in the present. To be able to say that Jesus is the living God is a grace to be treasured.
 
The ability to believe we are forgiven is crucial to our spiritual growth. This was the defining difference between Peter and Judas. Judas could not contemplate the possibility of forgiveness. He, who had heard Christ say that one must forgive seventy times seven, could not bring himself to ask Christ to forgive him
 
I wonder, did Jesus choose Peter for his strengths or for his weaknesses? Can I apply this question to myself? The Church is the assembly of the people of God. Talk to God about your relationship with the Church.
 
Jesus asks me this question today “Who do you say that I am?” This question forces me to consider what I really believe. Who is Jesus for me? What do I believe about him? Why am I a Christian? I sit with Jesus and try to honestly answer each of these questions. I don't judge myself for my answers, but talk to Jesus and listen to what he says to me.
 
Blessings,
 
Luis+