Thought for the Week

I wonder what you answer when someone asks you: ‘Who are you?’ Do you say for example: ‘I’m Jean’s mother, or I’m Donald’s wife, or I’m a teacher, or maybe even, I’m a Christian?’ So, what defines you? Who are you? Who do you think you are? What would those who know you say about who you are? People asked who Jesus was and got many answers. Some said he was John the Baptist come back, others said he was Elijah, some said he was a prophet, others didn’t know. Who are you? Is what you see what you get? Would those closest to you think so? Lots of questions this week. As we get to know each other better, our answer to the questions deepen. Jesus first asked his disciples who people said he was and they gave many answers. Then Jesus put them on the spot and said: ‘Who do you say that I am?’ I can imagine the disciples looking puzzled and looking from one to the other for an answer. I imagine the silence would hang in the warm night air as Jesus waited for a response. And it was Peter who gave the answer that resonates through time when he said: ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Peter had recognised the wonder of this man before him and knew that he was of God. Jesus praised Peter for his intuition and no doubt the others knew they were in the presence of a sacred moment. Peter was not perfect and often his coat was on a shoogly peg, but in the end he served his Lord and went on to die for his faith. Who are you?