Who do you say that I am? September 17

The Lord GOD opens my ear that I may hear. Isaiah 50:5

What good is it, my brothers and sisters,if someone says he has faith but does not have works? James 2:14

“But who do you say that I am?” Mark 8:29

Piety

Let us pray: God, open our ears in prayer that we may hear your word and act upon it. Brother Jesus, open our minds that we may study your word and works and craft our life accordingly. Holy Spirit, open our arms and strengthen our back that we may pick up our cross and go where ever you lead us. Amen.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/091706.shtml
By Rev. Joe Mc Closkey, S.J.

Jesus puts to each of us the big question of the Christian life. "Who do people say that I am?" Peter gave the right answer to the question in the gospel of today. Christ was impressed by the answer and went on to share with Peter that he had to suffer and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and rise after three days. Peter rebuked Christ for talking this way. Christ reacted strongly and called Peter a Satan. Peter meant well. He wanted to save Christ from his suffering.. It seems to me that we are guilty of the same offense when we try to save those we love from doing the good that they are called to do that brings with it risk and all too often suffering. We always have the right to encourage. We never have the right to discourage the good another would do.

It is easy to encourage someone to do something that brings with it praise, honor, glory and reward. It is a lot harder to face up to the demands of love that imply losing our life for the sake of another. God makes us free souls and love is by definition a free gift. When what I would do would cost me the giving of my life for another, I am living out the invitation of Christ to love as he loved. He calls the giving of life for another the perfection of love.

The great paradox of Christianity is found in our taking up our cross to follow Christ. If we wish to save our lives, we must lose them for his sake. The tree of glory is the cross and our cross carried well, will be our claim to fame in heaven. We are called to love as Christ loved. He is one with us when we love as he did. Created to the image and likeness of Christ we find ourselves in losing our lives for his sake. The answer to the big question of the Christian life is; "Christ is our real life."

Action

As Jesus ascended Calvary step by step, the Roman guards pressed Simon of Cyrene into service. Christ did indeed count on him to help redeem the world. Here was a man, who indeed carried the cross...and made an impact for Christ in eternity.

Christ counted on Mary and Joseph and the innkeeper who made room for them in the stable.

Christ counted on Simon Peter and the Twelve as well as all the disciples who followed Him when he was on earth in human form.

Now Christ is counting on you. Who do you say that He is? What commitment are you willing to make to Him now?