FRIDAY, TWENTY FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul
Eccl 3: 1-11 Ps 144: 1-4 Lk 9: 18-22
WHO IS JESUS TO ME?
Down the times, Jesus of Nazareth has been a hot topic of discussion at all levels. At one end there are those who admire his life and are ecstatic about his teaching, whereas at the other end there are those who cannot digest his words and hate him. Strangely nobody who knows his life can remain indifferent to him.
Jesus asks a very personal question: “who do you say that I am”? Jesus knew he was the Son of God (Mt 3:17; 17:5). He knew who he was. He knew his mission of proclaiming the Good News (Lk 4:18). Jesus did not ask this question because he faced some kind of identity crisis. These questions were asked so that the audience might come to know the one who is asking the question. In fact the response of his close disciples is ambiguous. They had lots to say about what others thought of him. But when the question was put straight to each one’s conscience they were silent. Only Peter responds with the basic faith formula affirming the saving role of Jesus, ‘You are the Messiah’.
In the first reading, we are made aware of the limitations and futility of our efforts for our own well being and happiness. Everything has a time fixed by God, beyond the total control of mankind. Everything functions within God’s master plan. It lowers human pride and the desire to amass wealth or dominate others leading to enmity and inequality.
The mission and message of Jesus therefore is to lead humanity, that keeps rebelling against God’s law, to enter once again willingly into the Kingdom of God, into the control of God, into the rule of God in their life as it is done in the life of Jesus, Mary and the saints. Hence, we are invited to humbly affirm true faith in Jesus as our Divine saviour and not merely a supplier of some earthly needs and emotional comforts.
Response: Blest be the Lord, my rock.
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