LUKE 9:18–22 WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?

Friday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time – Year A

Jesus asks His disciples a question that sounds simple but is deeply personal: “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answers, “The Christ of God.” Peter gets the answer right, but he is still learning what that answer means. Jesus immediately tells them that the Messiah will suffer, be rejected, be killed, and rise again. Peter expected glory; Jesus reveals the way of the Cross. To know who Jesus is means also to understand what kind of Savior He is.

We can sometimes want Jesus to be our Savior without wanting Him to change the way we live. We want Him to take away our problems, but we may not want to follow Him through difficult moments. We want the resurrection without the Cross, the blessing without sacrifice, the answer without patience. But Jesus does not promise a life without suffering. He promises that suffering does not have the final word. When we walk with Him, even our crosses can become places where God's grace is at work.

So today Jesus asks each of us the same question He asked Peter: “Who do you say that I am?” Not what do others say. Not what have we learned in religion class. Who is Jesus to me? May our answer become more than words. May it shape the way we face our struggles, love our families, forgive those who hurt us, and remain faithful when life becomes difficult. When we truly know Jesus, we do not walk away from Him when the road becomes hard; we walk with Him.

With Love and Prayers

Your Co-Traveler