Who Do You Say That I Am?

“But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said to him in reply,
“You are the Christ.” –Gospel of St Mark

“Who do you say that I am?”  In Today’s readings, the Lord asks the disciples, and us, a very blunt question.  Who do you say that I am?  This question should be a question we ask ourselves every morning and every night.  The response should be every time, “You are the Christ.”  The courage shown by St Peter should inspire us to live the Gospel truth and share the joy of the Lord with vigor and fortitude.  Often times, I have found that I do not ask myself this question, nor do I answer.  However, my actions always show my responses.  On days when I am strong and faithful, my actions demonstrate that I proclaim Jesus is the Christ.  On days when I am struggling and weak, my actions also demonstrate that I proclaim that I am my own lord. 

The reading from St James offers a lesson in both humility and equality.  The humble man knows himself.  The humble man also acknowledges the people around him and demonstrates his respect for the dignity of each person.  St James tells us that when it comes to the dignity of the person, their clothes, their connections, their wealth are not determining factors in their worthiness.  St James directly instructs us with this divine word that we should not judge people based on outward appearances.  We can then take from this that we should view people as Jesus does.  Each person is a creation of God and within themselves carry an imprint of holiness.  Despite how people may behave or appear, love and brotherly affection are desired. 

As Christians, it is imperative to remember the words of Jesus, “Who do you say that I am?”  We answer this question by how we treat the people around us.  Jesus sees the sick, the homeless and hungry and he brings relief.  And so are we all to bring relief.  Sometimes, people are not actively seeking relief but rather a means to an end.  It then becomes our prudent responsibility to support the organizations and people who make it their task to provide for the sick, homeless and hungry. 

Charity is not just writing a check.  Charity is love.  When love is the motivation and the source founded in God, then love becomes the source of miracles for the people.  Love becomes the hope for the hopeless.  It is a great gift and blessing of God when hope is given to those who need it. 

I have often been the scourge of hope for some who have come across my path.  Thanks be to God, I have been told that I have been hope at times as well to others.  May God have mercy on my soul for the sins I have committed and be source and guide so as to not repeat my mistakes of the past.  It is my hope that God will use me to his greater glory and not my own.  I pray that God reveals his will to me, and maybe he already has.  I wish to have eyes to see what it is I am to do.  After 30 years of life, my life should become more focused and less aimless.  Purpose and meaning are to be had each day.  This day, I know that I have been given tasks and work to do.  However, even now my heart longs for more. 

The wishes of my heart are wishes and desires that only God can fulfill.  I know this and I hope and pray that I can have the strength and humility to surrender my life so that God can do what he has planned for me.  I pray this for all of my friends and people I meet along the way.  I pray that they will first and foremost, come to know the Risen Lord, and seek his will in their lives.  It is my strongest belief that God is source of happiness and that all life finds its origin from God.  It is my humble prayer that He may be glorified and made known.  I pray that I have the strength to live in such a way that the people may know my response to Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?”