Meditation of the Day

We tend to hear what we want to hear; we hear what is complimentary, what makes us feel good, and what endorses our own thoughts and opinions. On the other hand, we tend to tune out what contradicts us, challenges us, and unsettles us. But when we reflect on our experiences, we often discover that growth and a new lease on life result from our listening to something we initially did not want to hear.

In the gospel Jesus clearly reveals himself to be “the Christ” who will suffer and die to accomplish the work of salvation he was given by the Father to do. By accepting his mission and being utterly faithful, he passed through death to risen life. He can ask us to follow him on this path because he has already shown us that the way to new life is through death.

“Who do you say that I am?” Today Jesus asks this question of us. With Peter, we may quickly answer, “You are the Christ.” But we may also respond as slowly as Peter to Jesus’ teaching about the necessity of his-and our-dying to self. It is one thing to proclaim Jesus as Christ.  It is another to follow him to the cross. When Peter recoiled, Jesus called him “Satan.” Who will Jesus say that we are?