Daily Reflection Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest

St. Vincent de Paul (24 April 1581 – 27 September 1660) was a French Roman Catholic priest who dedicated himself to serving the poor. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. He was canonized in 1737. He was renowned for his compassion, humility and generosity and is known as the "Great Apostle of Trumpets."

In todays Gospel Luke 9:18-22 Jesus asks the disciples a direct question. Not a trick question not particularly with depth yet simply asked the most important question of their life just as it is for us …” Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” After telling Jesus the crowds were saying Elijah, John the Baptist or maybe a prophet of old.  Jesus asks Peter, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter responds, “The Christ of God.” 

Even Demons in Scripture without hesitation have shouted out the answer in Luke 4.34-35, Mark 3:11, Matthew 8:29 just to quote a few. And yes, they got it right. Son of the Living God! Christ the Son of God! Messiah, the Anointed One.

This question confronts the identity of Jesus. Yes, Jesus healed the sick, forgave sins, raised the dead, anointed many disciples to go out to far ends of the lands to do the same but what does that make Jesus for you? The question is still “Who do you say that I am?”

1Peter2: Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight. Precious Peter says. It is not enough to go to church on Lord’s Day, and say, “Praise the Lord” and feel I answered the question right so ok everything is alright. Do you see the preciousness of Jesus, the Christ who gave all for our salvation.

He tells the disciples “The Son of Man” will be killed and raised up on the third day. Honestly as I wrote this even knowing where this was going in my head I heard, “say what?” And I felt such a tremendous compassion and respect for the disciples. Can you imagine their confusion and fear as they try to grasp the identity of Jesus the Christ and pray for the grace to continue their journey after giving everything up knowing Jesus is going to die. And raised up? How much did they understand I wondered. I am so grateful for those men and women that by the grace of God sacrificed all they had and walked in the unknown with faith, courage and trust bringing the Good News to the world.

May we pray for the same courage, faith, and trust to continue the mission God asks of us.

By the way, Imagine Jesus standing before you asking, “Who do you say that I am?” 

A good question to pray with reaching deep into your being before you answer.    Amen