Do you care what people think of you? Many people are concerned about the way they're perceived by others. This can certainly be true for the way we're viewed by our neighbors, our co-workers, and for teens who are trying to fit in with their peers. Generally, we want others to think of us in a good light and not define us by our weaknesses, failures, or faults.
In this weekend's Gospel, we read the account in Matthew's Gospel, of Jesus asking His disciples two questions about identity and perception. The first question is, "Who do people say that the son of Man is?" And the second is, "But who do you say that I am?" Was our Lord asking Peter this just to satisfy His own ego? Was He checking to see if His message and ministry were effective? The disciples had already witnessed many miracles and learned much from Him. The truth is that He probably didn't care so much about what the religious leaders or general public was saying about Him. He wanted an answer from the twelve – His closest followers.
Peter immediately proclaims, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus desires believers who know Him and that will publicly and without reservation proclaim that He is Lord and Master. By witnessing the miraculous events up to this point, the disciples came to believe. But Jesus reminds them that this was revealed to them by God. Despite some possible hesitation by some in the group, Peter had the courage to proclaim this truth.
What if Jesus were to ask you the question, "Who do you say that I am"? Or, if someone were to ask you who Jesus Christ is to you, how would you respond?
Would it be an answer based on facts, for example, that He was born in Bethlehem, that Joseph and Mary were His parents, that He was raised in the Jewish faith and traditions. Or would you be able to speak about the difference that your relationship with Jesus Christ has made in your life? Would you be able to proclaim Him as your Savior?
Each time we come to Mass, it's an opportunity to come to know better who Jesus Christ is.
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Bishop Parkes
Did you know...
Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes is the fifth Bishop of St. Petersburg. Prior to his appointment to the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Bishop Parkes served as the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee from 2012-2016. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Orlando on June 26, 1999. Before answering the call to the priesthood, Bishop Parkes worked for several years in Tampa's banking industry.
