And How Do You See It Now?

September 25, 2009

Friday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

By Melanie Rigney

Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? And how do you see it now? Does it not seem like nothing in your eyes? (Haggai 2:3)

Send your light and fidelity, that they may be my guide and bring me to your holy mountain, to the place of your dwelling. (Psalms 43:3)

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 Messiah of God." (Luke 9:18-20)

Piety

Lord, help me to live in the now, not dwelling on who I have been or dreaming about who I will be tomorrow. Help me to be present, now, to do Your work on earth.

Study

We know what the disciples answered when Jesus asked them who people said he was: John the Baptist. Elijah. An ancient prophet come back from the dead. And we know what Peter said when Jesus asked who the disciples said he was: The messiah of God.

But turn that question around. What would you say if Jesus asked you who the crowds say that you are? And who would you say you are?

The way we define ourselves and the way others define us can change with time. At different stages of my life, for example, the answers would have been: Student. South Dakotan. High school debater. College journalist. Wire service editor. Wife. Sister. Magazine editor. Civil servant. Many of those roles have come and go, but the one that never changes is beloved child of God. Funny how that one isn’t the first one that comes to mind for many of us when we are asked, “Who are you?”

Relationships, jobs, expertise, ministries... they come and go. Our former glory and our hopes for the future during our time on earth matter little, for we have no control over either. What we can do is to live a life of love and service in the now, focusing on our true identity with Christ as our guide and our hope.

Action

Who are you? Is it who God wants you to be? Consider this during your prayer time today.