The Gospel according to 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.”
Reflection:
Peter got it right. Jesus was “the Christ.” Many others spoke of Him as one who was only a great prophet, but Peter saw deeper. He saw that Jesus was uniquely the Anointed One who is of God. In other words, Jesus was God.
Though we know this to be true, we can sometimes fail to fully comprehend the depth of this “Mystery of Faith.” Jesus is human, and He is God. This is hard to comprehend. It would have been hard for those of Jesus’ time to comprehend this great mystery, as well. Imagine sitting before Jesus listening to Him speak. If you were there before Him, would you have concluded that He is also the second Person of the Most Holy Trinity? Would you have concluded that He existed from all eternity and was the great I AM WHO AM? Would you have concluded that He was perfect in every way and that He was also the Creator of all things and the one who keeps all things in being?
Most likely none of us fully would have comprehended the true depth of the meaning that Jesus was “the Christ of God.” We most likely would have recognized something special about Him, but would have failed to see Him for who He is in His full essence.
The same is true today. When we look at the Most Holy Eucharist, do we see God? Do we see the Almighty, Omnipotent, All-loving God who existed for eternity is the source of all good and is the Creator of all things? Perhaps the answer is both “Yes” and “No.” “Yes” in that we believe and “no” in that we do not fully understand.
Action of the Day:
Lord, today, by your grace, when I make the sign of the cross, I will do so reverently and thoughtfully, giving thanks for your sacrifice on the cross and asking for the grace to embrace the crosses and suffering of my own life with deeper faith and trust. Jesus – I trust in you!
Audio Reflection:
DEACON5 