From Father Jim
“Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter said in reply, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus said to him in reply, ‘Blessed are you son of John...’”
We are no different, because we are disciples of the Lord. He asks us the same question, but I wonder if we answer as did Peter, or as the other disciples responded.
There are countless ways we use to describe someone. We can speak of size, talent, profession, family. All might be true. But it’s more important to know the person, rather than know about the person.
Peter’s response is quite clear and to the point. Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God. We have accepted His invitation to consider what reply is most fitting for me to describe Jesus. We echo Peter’s response, He is not just the Savior of all humankind, but my personal Savior as well. If that is true for me, Jesus affirms me as He did Peter and entrusts to me my responsibility in the church, missionary discipleship.