12th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) : Saturday 29th June 2024

“But you, who do you say I am?” Jesus’ question is not a rhetorical one that demands a right answer, but one that requires us to ponder deeply and answer sincerely from the depths of our conviction.

Human emotions and spiritual disposition vary from moment to moment, so our gut answer to this existential question may not always be the same because living relationships are never static. When we ask ourselves “Who do I say Jesus is?”, our answer can run the entire gamut of human pronouns and emotions, depending on where and how we are in our relationship with the Lord.

Peter and Paul too went through different “phases” in their understanding of who Jesus was for them. Starting out as “Master” and “Teacher”, to the “Good Shepherd”, “Living bread”, “Sheepgate”, “the cornerstone”, “Resurrection and the Life” and “Way, Truth and Life” to name a few. But Jesus was also the One they betrayed, denied, and deserted to die on the cross when their loyalty was called for. And the One who appeared to them on Easter Sunday with the greeting of peace and reconciliation.

All are attempts to describe the indescribable – the identification we sense deep in ourselves when we try to name the One who escapes all descriptions; where love in its purest form, the only way to answer it, perhaps is the greatest question of all.

Dear Lord, help us to eagerly praise You not just in names but ponder how You have loved us.