Gospel Reflection for the 21st. Sunday of Ordinary Time

August 27th – Who do you say that I am?

At the time of Jesus, he was not the only traveling preacher. There were others who had their own vision and ideas and they were all seeking people’s attention. They were all looking for followers and disciples.

When it came to Jesus, there were all sorts of rumours about who he was and from where he came. I’m sure even Jesus’ own disciples, apostles and followers asked questions about him. As if reading their minds, Jesus turns and asks his friends this very direct and challenging question, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is? His friends offer him plenty of names, among them are John the Baptist or Elijah. Others think he is the Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.

Then he asks them an even more challenging question, ‘But, you, who do say that I am?’ Jesus in fact is saying to them, don’t tell me what others have said or told you about me, do not repeat the rumours you have heard in the street corners or in the synagogue. He is saying to them, who am I for you?

This is a very personal question that Jesus is asking them and indeed asking each of us today. Through this gospel, Jesus is looking at each of us eye to eye and asking us, who do you say that I am? Who am I for you?

Jesus does not want us to give some vague intellectual answer that we found in some book or an encyclopaedia; he wants us to be honest with ourselves and to be honest with him. Jesus wants to enter into a personal relationship with each of us. He calls each of us by our own name as he personally wants a deep, rich and intimate friendship with us. He calls us and waits until we respond. Jesus will never force himself into our lives. Our friendship with Jesus cannot be built on force. It is built on free -will and love.

At some point in our daily lives we have to try and answer the question that Jesus puts to his friends in this gospel. He calls us by our name and asks, ‘who am I for you?’ As we build our friendship with Jesus on prayer and caring for others, we discover who Jesus is and more personally who Jesus is for us. We won’t find the answer this question in a book. We will only discover who Jesus is by trying to build and maintain an intimate friendship with him and by caring for others, especially those who are poor and marginalized.

This coming week, let us take some time to let Jesus look at us and ask, who do you say that I am? When Jesus asks you this question, what is your response?

• Michael Moore OMI