The Gospel setting for today must have been a pastoral one under the shade of a fig tree in the rolling Judean hills. Jesus was with His disciples praying. After a long silence, Jesus asks, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" They said in reply, "John, the Baptist." Others said,"Elijah." Still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen? Then He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" The apostles must have looked at each other with knitted brows. Others must have straightened their backs, taking deep breaths as they rapidly breezed through their mental file searching for the answer - the right answer which will win the approval of the Master. The search proved futile. There was a lull. The air of expectancy filled the place. Then Peter proclaimed, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God!" Then Jesus said, " My Father in heaven has revealed that to you." He told them not to tell this to anyone.
Let us imagine ourselves sitting comfortably around Jesus. He has just started the story of the camel and the master who was on a journey through the desert. The man had finished pitching the tent for the night and was ready to sleep when the camel asked whether he could put his head inside the tent. The master agreed. After a while the request to put in the camel's shoulders was accepted. A succession of requests to shelter different parts of the camel's body was graciously honored until the camel finally occupied the whole tent and the master left shivering in the cold. Can you see the twinkle in Jesus' eyes and hear the thrill of His laughter?
Then He looks at you directly in the eye and asks you specifically, "Who do you think that I am?"
You lower your gaze, start fidgeting with your hands and sketch a mental picture of Jesus according to the dictates of your heart. Yes, who is Jesus to you?
Do you see Him garbed in red and white with a long beard as Santa Claus? As Santa Claus, Jesus is the Giver- the one who satisfies your craving for material wealth, the huge house, car or adult toys to display and boast around. He is the ever-flowing well of goodies for instant gratification!
Does your prayer start with solicitation - a request for things to meet your needs first before adoration and praise and thanksgiving? It is good to remember Luke 4:4 Jesus said, "It is written: Not by bread alone shall man live but by every Word of God."
Do you see Jesus in a neatly pressed outfit as a Teacher with a pair of black-rimmed glasses holding a ruler standing by a desk? He is the teacher of all teachers since His lessons are the ones that make up how life is to be lived in this chaotic, temptation-filled world. He teaches the Truth that will make you free - truth without compromises. He teaches you to be a firm and persevering follower of his teachings in spite of the prevalent attitude of convenience and compromise to get by and go ahead among your peers for easy living. Do you hear him say, "Abide in me and I will abide in you." How about in Deuteronomy 28:1, 8, "If you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord, being watchful to do all His commandments; your God will set you high above the nations. The Lord shall command the blessings upon you in your storehouse and in all that you undertake."
Do you see Jesus as a man in an immaculate white gown with a stethoscope around his neck- the Doctor - the Healer? Do you seek Him because He can heal the aches and pains in your body that has kept you from enjoying life as you want it to be? Yes, His Omnipotence and Mercy to a suffering humanity brings forth healing in both body and spirit. But it requires faith. Do you have that faith that can withstand the forces of evil and doubt in this skeptical world? The Bible relates the episode of the woman who suffered years of hemorrhage and Jesus said,"Your faith has healed you." We claim His promises in Jeremiah 30:17, "For I will restore you to health; of your wounds, I will heal you." and in Isaiah 40:31, "But those who wait on the Lord, shall find their strength renewed. They shall mount on wings as eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Do you see Jesus in a rustic brown pair of loose pants holding a crescent- hooked wooden staff leading a flock of sheep across the meadow? Do you see Him as the Good Shepherd? True to His word, "I am the Good Shepherd. I tend my flock. My sheep know Me and I know them." Yes, a true shepherd calls his flock by name and that every sheep responds to his name. It is true that even to the present time, when it rains, the shepherds and their respective flock of sheep seek shelter together inside a mountain opening or cave. The sheep intermingle with each other. But when the rain stops, the shepherd stands by the opening and calls his sheep by name. He will surely have his own flock of sheep. No sheep will find himself stranded in another flock. How wonderful it is that Jesus, our Good Shepherd knows us by name. He cares for each and everyone of us. In fact, He says, "Even your hair is numbered!" That is how much he loves us! Isn't that truly remarkable?
Do you see Jesus with a fireman's hat and boots holding a huge hose by a water tank? Yes, He is our Protector - our Shield. As Protector, Jesus helps against the "dangers that lurk in the dark and the evils that strike during the day" as Psalm 91 so vividly puts it. He guards us from physical harm as well as the misleading conjectures and propaganda that most smooth-tongued, evil-minded persons show on TV, books or other forms of media. He gives us the strength to carry on and live a Christian life in spite of the arrows of deceit hurled against us in this chaotic world. We pray as in Psalm 18, "I love you, Oh, Lord, my rock of refuge, my fortress, my deliverer, my shield, my stronghold!"
Do you see Jesus elegantly robed in a black gown before the court of humanity as a Judge - a Merciful Judge? As Judge, He holds before us our individual book of Life upon which He bases His judgment. How have we made use of the free will that He has given us? Have our decision-making process been done in consonance with the Commandments He has given us? Somehow we are relieved to know that his judgment is tempered with mercy if we become the repentant sinners that we ought to be. Jesus now leans forward and asks, "Do you remember my words in John 15:12, "This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you." Before executing judgment, He quotes Mark 4:24, "With what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you."
Now, what is your answer to His question, " Who do you say that I am? "
My answer is , " All of the above! "
A N D M U C H M O R E !!!
Then He looks at you directly in the eye and asks you specifically, "Who do you think that I am?"
You lower your gaze, start fidgeting with your hands and sketch a mental picture of Jesus according to the dictates of your heart. Yes, who is Jesus to you?
Do you see Him garbed in red and white with a long beard as Santa Claus? As Santa Claus, Jesus is the Giver- the one who satisfies your craving for material wealth, the huge house, car or adult toys to display and boast around. He is the ever-flowing well of goodies for instant gratification!
Does your prayer start with solicitation - a request for things to meet your needs first before adoration and praise and thanksgiving? It is good to remember Luke 4:4 Jesus said, "It is written: Not by bread alone shall man live but by every Word of God."
Do you see Jesus in a neatly pressed outfit as a Teacher with a pair of black-rimmed glasses holding a ruler standing by a desk? He is the teacher of all teachers since His lessons are the ones that make up how life is to be lived in this chaotic, temptation-filled world. He teaches the Truth that will make you free - truth without compromises. He teaches you to be a firm and persevering follower of his teachings in spite of the prevalent attitude of convenience and compromise to get by and go ahead among your peers for easy living. Do you hear him say, "Abide in me and I will abide in you." How about in Deuteronomy 28:1, 8, "If you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord, being watchful to do all His commandments; your God will set you high above the nations. The Lord shall command the blessings upon you in your storehouse and in all that you undertake."
Do you see Jesus as a man in an immaculate white gown with a stethoscope around his neck- the Doctor - the Healer? Do you seek Him because He can heal the aches and pains in your body that has kept you from enjoying life as you want it to be? Yes, His Omnipotence and Mercy to a suffering humanity brings forth healing in both body and spirit. But it requires faith. Do you have that faith that can withstand the forces of evil and doubt in this skeptical world? The Bible relates the episode of the woman who suffered years of hemorrhage and Jesus said,"Your faith has healed you." We claim His promises in Jeremiah 30:17, "For I will restore you to health; of your wounds, I will heal you." and in Isaiah 40:31, "But those who wait on the Lord, shall find their strength renewed. They shall mount on wings as eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Do you see Jesus in a rustic brown pair of loose pants holding a crescent- hooked wooden staff leading a flock of sheep across the meadow? Do you see Him as the Good Shepherd? True to His word, "I am the Good Shepherd. I tend my flock. My sheep know Me and I know them." Yes, a true shepherd calls his flock by name and that every sheep responds to his name. It is true that even to the present time, when it rains, the shepherds and their respective flock of sheep seek shelter together inside a mountain opening or cave. The sheep intermingle with each other. But when the rain stops, the shepherd stands by the opening and calls his sheep by name. He will surely have his own flock of sheep. No sheep will find himself stranded in another flock. How wonderful it is that Jesus, our Good Shepherd knows us by name. He cares for each and everyone of us. In fact, He says, "Even your hair is numbered!" That is how much he loves us! Isn't that truly remarkable?
Do you see Jesus with a fireman's hat and boots holding a huge hose by a water tank? Yes, He is our Protector - our Shield. As Protector, Jesus helps against the "dangers that lurk in the dark and the evils that strike during the day" as Psalm 91 so vividly puts it. He guards us from physical harm as well as the misleading conjectures and propaganda that most smooth-tongued, evil-minded persons show on TV, books or other forms of media. He gives us the strength to carry on and live a Christian life in spite of the arrows of deceit hurled against us in this chaotic world. We pray as in Psalm 18, "I love you, Oh, Lord, my rock of refuge, my fortress, my deliverer, my shield, my stronghold!"
Do you see Jesus elegantly robed in a black gown before the court of humanity as a Judge - a Merciful Judge? As Judge, He holds before us our individual book of Life upon which He bases His judgment. How have we made use of the free will that He has given us? Have our decision-making process been done in consonance with the Commandments He has given us? Somehow we are relieved to know that his judgment is tempered with mercy if we become the repentant sinners that we ought to be. Jesus now leans forward and asks, "Do you remember my words in John 15:12, "This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you." Before executing judgment, He quotes Mark 4:24, "With what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you."
Now, what is your answer to His question, " Who do you say that I am? "
My answer is , " All of the above! "
A N D M U C H M O R E !!!
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