Who do YOU say that I am?

As promised, here is a nutshell version of last night's homily.

The human heart, a person’s deepest self, is where God has written his covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34; CCC #s 1764-1765). How else do we know, instinctively, that there is a God? And why do we turn to our Creator in times of distress or sadness? It's because God has written his names (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) on our hearts since before we were born. It's like a newborn baby. He (or she) is not "taught" to look for his mother's breast when he's hungry. He just knows that is the source of his nourishment. Or how does he know which woman is his mother in a crowd of mothers? By the special "scent" that is a bond between mother and child. If you think about these things, you KNOW they are true. It is the same with knowing that Jesus is the Son of God, and that He is truly present in each of us. Even atheist have to make a choice to ignore this instinctive knowledge. When Jesus was with the Apostles and asked them, "Who do people say that I am?", they replied that some thought he was John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others thought he was one of the other prophets. But when he asked his friends, who knew him best, "Who do YOU say that I am?", Peter blurted out "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!" This was revealed to Peter by God, according to Jesus. (Luke 9, 18-24) And it was. But it has also been revealed to each of us through Scripture and Tradition. Even without Scripture and Tradition, if you really search your heart you know this to be true. Gaze upon a crucifix. Imagine that Christ is looking at you with the same loving look He gave his friends that day and He is asking YOU, "Who do YOU say that I am?" When I did this during Mass last night, I almost blurted out Peter's answer myself--it's the reason I try to attend Mass daily, when possible--to give thanks to Our God and His Son for the daily gifts of the Holy Spirit upon my life. I caught myself--it would have been inappropriate, but my heart was almost bursting with love for Christ! I know that He is the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world!

When you find YOUR answer to the question, then ask yourself why He would put Himself through the pain and suffering of the crucifixion. It's for ALL OF US, that we may finally be with HIM as was intended from the beginning. Then try to understand that we could never suffer as much as HE did, and He is STILL willing to accept even more pain and suffering (the pain and suffering we offer up to Him) for the greater glory of the Father.