Spicebush Butterfly at the Monastery

September 23, 2005

Lk 9:18-22

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.” He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.

He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

Who do you say that I am? Jesus asks the disciples. Peter knows he is the Christ. But the time to tell others has not yet come and the disciples are told not to tell anyone that Jesus is the Christ. Jesuse foretells his rejection and passion and that he will be raised from the dead. The Word of God repeats, intertwines and foretells..."Who do you say that I am?" is my meditation for today. I hope that my life will be a witness to Christ.