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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Who do you say that I am?

Who do you say that I am?

Published Sep 26, 2024 09:56 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

Luke takes pains to recount that the important moments in Jesus’ life are preceded by prayer. In this episode, before he sets his face towards Jerusalem (9:51), Jesus talks to his Father in earnest, after which he makes some kind of evaluation of his ministry and asks his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” (v 20). 


“The Christ of God” (v 20) is Peter’s inspired answer as the representative of the other disciples. It is a primary insight, like a “seed.” Jesus has to help them understand deeply what kind of Messiah he is—a rejected, crucified Messiah, but one who will be vindicated in the end. 


To fathom the depth of Jesus’ identity, we need the full vision of the paschal mystery. We must accept the logic of the Cross. Finding God’s design of salvation within the mystery of suffering is almost an impossible feat, if undertaken only with our own power and initiative. We need to pray, to put our total trust in God, and allow him to lead the way.


How do I answer Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” (v 20) in my present life situation, amidst the struggles I am going through in my life of discipleship?

 

First Reading • Eccl 3:1-11 
 

There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every thing under the heavens. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. 


A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them; a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces. A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. 


What advantage has the worker from his toil? I have considered the task that God has appointed for the sons of men to be busied about. 


He has made everything appropriate to its time, and has put the timeless into their hearts, without man’s ever discovering, from beginning to end, the work which God has done.
 

Gospel • 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.”

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024.” E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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