The Light of God
The question of our identity is one that accompanies us all through our life.
Who am I, as a person, as a Christian? Who am I in the eyes of God?
This very question appears in today’s Gospel.
Jesus asks his disciples: “What do people say about me?” And then he is even more direct: “Who then do you say I am?” The answers to this question vary just as much today as they did then.
Peter's Confession About Jesus
In Jesus’ time, some people thought he was John the Baptist. Others said he was Elijah, and still others believed he was one of the ancient prophets. And today? Many people might say that Jesus was a good man, a role model and an inspiring figure, a moral compass or guide for ethical living. But then Peter speaks the truth. The truth that has been believed and proclaimed for centuries, even to this day: “The Messiah of God.” In other words: Jesus Christ, in you, the light of God shines into our darkness. In you, and through you, the fullness of life is closer to us, no matter what suffering or struggles hold us down. You break the chains of death, once and for all. You, Jesus, are the Son of God. God made flesh. For us. This moment in the Gospel leads us back to our own questions: Who is Jesus for me? Who am I, as a Christian?
What Really Matters
Friends, we live in a time when outward appearances often matter more than what is truly within us. In social media, advertising, politics, even within the Church, there is pressure to project the right image, to meet certain expectations. We shape the image of what we want others to see.
Let me put it this way, myself included: How things look or appear to be, often matter more than how things really are. We experience this in our everyday life. In our roles: as parents, as friends, as coworkers, as neighbors.
My Relationship, Our Relationship
But Jesus Christ showed and shows us a different way. He doesn’t care about outward appearance. His identity as the Christ, the Anointed One, does not need validation from others. That is why his question to each of us is so meaningful: Who am I, in my personal relationship with God? How can I walk with Jesus, following in his footsteps? Jesus tells his disciples and us: Whoever follows him is invited to take a step back, and not always see themselves as the most important.
Living the Gospel
The way of Jesus is to accept our own cross, our own challenges, rough edges, and flaws. That might not sound very attractive, but dear friends, this does not mean that we should go looking for suffering, or that our lives must be without joy or happiness. Quite the opposite! Rejoicing in the LORD is your strength says the prophet Nehemiah in the Old Testament. Joy and happiness is the source of our lives. And so, with that spirit in mind let me remind you that following Jesus means being true to yourself being honest, and facing life with courage and trust. It means living as the person God calls us to be. Of course it is not always easy. But with the faith of Saint Paul, we can carry on. You heard in our second reading:
We are not alone—through faith in Christ Jesus, we are children of God. There is no longer Jew or Greek, no longer slave or free, no longer male or female—we are all ONE in HIM. This means, that our differences, where we come from, our status in society no longer matters before God. What matters is this: That we live as God’s beloved children. And, yes, we will make mistakes. Yes, we will stumble, we might even fail. But discipleship means: to rise up and lift our eyes to Christ and realign ourselves over and over again toward HIM. Christ Jesus is the goal of our journey. BY the power of the Holy Spirit, HE walks with us. Today, right now – HE is among us – now.
Through him, with him, and in him: we are beloved children of God. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Now and forever.
Praised be Jesus Christ.
Amen.