YOU ARE JESUS, THE MESSIAH.
WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?
"Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi.
"Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.”
"And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.”
"He began to teach them
that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days.
"He spoke this openly.
"Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
"At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples,
rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."
"He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,
"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake
and that of the gospel will save it." (Mark 8: 27 - 33).
Thursday 20th February 2025, in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time.
What happened in Caesarea Philippi in today's Gospel marks a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus. The Apostles have been with Jesus about three years. Now the ministry of Jesus is coming to a close. How much do they know about their Leader after three years?
To Jesus' question: “Who do people say that I am?” The Apostles answered: “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” From their response we know that the people think highly of Jesus because Elijah and John the Baptist were two important prophets in the history of Israel.
But who do you say Jesus is? You who are reading this? You are probably a baptized Christian. Who is Jesus to you?
Every year we read this Gospel, we are supposed to show growth in our knowledge of Jesus.
When I was a child, Paul would say, I answered like a child. But today I answer thus: Jesus is my Savior, who reconciles me again and again with the Father after my sins.
Jesus is Emmanuel who promised to be with me always and I know He keeps this promise.
I am also updating my answer with this fact: Jesus is faithful to His promises as we expect God to be.
Jesus is the God who heals me. He answers every prayer regardless of the lies of the Devil to the contrary.
Peter answered correctly, “You are the Christ.” The same Peter got the rebuke for thinking like the world. If you think like the world, you will act like the world.
“Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
How do we think as God thinks? St Ambrose of Milan, Bishop and Doctor of the Church writes: We know the Heart of God from the word of God.
If you want to think like God, you must consume daily the word of God.
If you want to think like human beings, consume daily news from news papers, televisions, etc.
We become what we consume.
For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:
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