By Shelly Henley Kelly

 

 

“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.”
~Matthew 16:15-16

 

When volunteering for our parish Teen Confirmation Retreat, I often present a lesson on the Nicene Creed. The lesson usually includes asking our teens the question, “If you met someone who had never heard of the Catholic Church before, what would you tell them we believe?” Their answers come slowly, hesitantly offering familiar lines from the Creed they absentmindedly hear or speak each Sunday.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus poses the original question to his disciples. “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” When they answer, He turns it around and makes it personal. “But who do you say that I am?”

Have you ever thought about how you would answer this question today? Like Peter, many of us hope that we will answer with unshakable confidence. The words fill our mouths, waiting to be spoken aloud, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 

Believe

This year of Eucharistic revival offers us the opportunity to revisit the question. When we attend Mass, receive Holy Communion, or kneel in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, are we fully aware of His true presence in the Eucharist?

The truth that God, in all His power and majesty, knows each of us and desires a relationship with us can be overwhelming. In the Eucharist, we find the answer to the question. We recognize that God came down to earth through the Holy Spirit to be fully human so we might know Him in ways we can better comprehend. We are called by Him and empowered by His love through the Holy Spirit to go and serve others with goodness, love, and mercy as Jesus taught us. Through His sacrifice, we may be saved from the sin that separates us from God. Because of Him, our suffering can be redeemed when we deny ourselves and put others first. Jesus invites us to live in peace and love with Him and each other. In the Eucharist, He remains with us always and never leaves us.

Action

Recognizing Jesus as the cornerstone, Peter’s answer allows him to become the rock upon which Christ builds his church, an integral part of the foundation. Through our answers and beliefs, we continue building on this strong foundation.

If we truly believe, as Peter did, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, how are we living our life for Him? If we are part of the church, are we serving God by serving others?

Our answer is not merely words. To be part of His Church, we must consciously act, striving to avoid sin and serve as Christ served. This is how all shall know we are his followers.

Jesus, alive and fully present in the monstrance, asks us today, “Who do you say I am?”

How will you answer Him with your actions today?

 

Prayer

God, I truly believe in you. I invite you to be present in my life. Guide my thoughts and actions to show your love and be your church to others today.

Call to Action

 As you attend Mass today, reflect on the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

 

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