by Joan Mitchell, CSJ
“Who do people say that I am?” Jesus wants feedback in Sunday’s gospel. He asks this question halfway through his public ministry
Is Jesus the long-awaited leader and prince of peace for whom Isaiah dreamed, an alternative to the God-forsaking, warring kings of the prophet’s time? Jesus’ disciples think so. Is he God’s servant who like the exiled Israelites suffers to reveal God’s vision of justice to the nations? Hmmmm. Jesus’ disciples haven’t got this far yet
Jesus’ question is a brave one. What are people saying about me? I ask that question when I interview potential employees. What do your colleagues or clients say about you? What are you proud that they say about you
Jesus’ question to his first disciples echoes down the centuries to every Christian. Is Jesus a prophetic reformer who hopes to breathe life into the legalistic religion of his day and who challenges us to do the same? Is he a revolutionary whose inflammatory preaching catches him in the gears of Caesar’s empire? Is he the greatest party giver of all time who invites everyone to come to his banquets?
In our new context of evolution we ask, “Isn’t Jesus, who is the Christ, the omega point in whom all creation will converge? Isn’t he the firstborn of a new creation who testifies that love is the ultimate transforming power in the cosmos?”
Jesus’ question is also one to ask ourselves. What feedback do we hear about ourselves as Christians in our society that sees faith as a private matter?
- Who do other people say you are? Who has noticed you are a Christian?