The New Testament’s question of questions: “Who do you say I am?”
Here Jesus is asking a response from Peter – and indeed is asking responses from every one of us. It’s a question to think over – better, pray over – and look back through the years at different answers we ourselves might have given.
To flesh things out, I’ll name some of my own “Who Am I” reflections through the decades, something I’m sure members of the worldwide Vincentian Family can also readily do for themselves.
The scene: standing there with St. Peter and being asked to fill in the blank to The Question.
“Jesus, You are:
-My companion – close up to me, especially at lonely times.
-My Wisdom Figure – teaching me Truth – the Truth.
-My Example – when confused, doubting, irresolute.
-My Strength – when you lifted me up, rescued me.
-My Window on the World – shaping my view of the surrounding culture.
-My Refuge – my shelter in different personal storms.
-My pathway to God – You show me The Father.
-My Forgiver – You’ve always pardoned me.
-My Savior and Redeemer – pulling me through hard times and leading me on.
And so this practice: in prayer and along with St. Peter, listening for what arises when being asked this “Question of Questions.”
I had always thought the question was for St. Peter to answer, and we know what his response was!, But when the question is directed at me and each and every one of us, that is big question, especially when I/we, think back and ask ourselves, has it always been and is it now, the same answer?
Thanks, James. It seems to me there are different answers at different times and occasions in life.