Who is Jesus to you?

We are the Church. The church is not a building — it is believers who are called to build, first the kingdom of God and then a building we worship in. As Catholics, we can trace our history back nearly 2,000 years. What a privilege it is, being a part of this challenge and mission to bring Christ into our world.

In our fist reading on King Hezekiah, we hear of the key to the House of David. Keys are still symbols of power and authority. Remember when, as a teen, you were allowed the keys for the car and maybe even a key to the house; you thought you were a top dog. In the Gospel, Jesus promised He would give Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven.

This is the passage that still reflects on the power and authority of Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, as chief shepherd and head of the church. He has the final word on any issue relating to the Church. The keys Jesus said he would give Peter symbolize that authority and are also on the Yellow and White Papal Flag in our sanctuary. St. Matthew made a big issue of this incident of Jesus and Peter because of the leadership position of Peter that would remain a part of the structure of Christ’s community - believers of the Church. Pope Francis is the 266th successor to Peter.

The second important point in this Gospel is how Peter and each successor and each one of us dare to answer that question, “Who do you say that I am?” How we answer this question determines how each of us relates to Jesus.

Is Jesus someone who loves us and we love Him? Do we believe He forgives us and we need to be persistent and patient with His timing and not demand our time? Do we believe in quiet prayer and reflection to let Jesus lead and tell us how to live, what we should do, what we may not do? Is Jesus someone we look forward to spending eternity with?

Not one of us can give a complete and perfect answer to that question. It is easy to say Jesus is Savior, Messiah, Son of God, Peace Maker; but do our minds, heart and actions put that belief into action? It is our choice, and we need to each day make a personal decision to answer this question, ”Who do you say Jesus is?”

It is through prayer, the receiving of the sacraments, spending time with Jesus and putting faith into action that we come to know, love and act as Christ bearers for Jesus Christ. It is our daily walking and running in his name that Christ will be alive in our world. It is running for Christ that’s important. Remember, the police want you to know that running from them is not social distancing. It is important to know what you are doing.

A woman was returning from the grocery store and didn’t take her mask off until the driver got a block or two from the store. Then she turned and noticed it was the wrong hubby. Be attentive.