There is so much to learn from today’s readings, but one must be understood above all, or the others will have little or no meaning to the reader.

When Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” He doesn’t want to hear that he is a prophet, as many others have said. No, Jesus wants his disciples to truly know that he is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus wants us to believe the same about him. The other readings have substance and weight but only have promises for those who believe that Jesus is God.

Peter got Jesus’ question right, and immediately, Jesus blessed him. So, too, are we blessed when we answer that Jesus is God in the flesh. When we trust and believe what Jesus is saying to Philip in John 14:9, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” We are also blessed in so many ways, but especially for salvation and eternal life.

Knowing Jesus and living accordingly is our only hope. We read about that hope in scripture and the lives of the saints. We who believe have also witnessed that hope in our parents, grandparents, other relatives, and anyone who lives the Christian life and believes in Jesus and that he died for our sins and was resurrected.

Father Eymard expressed his love of Jesus when he wrote to Edmond Tenaillon in January 1867, stating, “What I wish for you is a love for our Lord and his glory which are as great as your graces, as great as his heart.” Taken from A Year with Fr. Eymard, by Fr. Erasto Fernandez SSS.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we ask that we all know Jesus as God and our Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.