My Brothers and Sisters,

“Answer the question!”

Jesus asked His closest disciples: “Who do you say that I am?”

It is obvious that most of the apostles struggled with this question.  They had heard Jesus preach and observed how he cured the sick, cleansed the lepers, cast out demons, multiplied food, walked on water and calmed the storm, and yet eleven of the twelve apostles remained silent.  No doubt they thought their answers would remain “on record” with consequences to follow.

Peter, however, took the risk.  He rose and bravely answered that Jesus was more than a great prophet, more than the greatest figure in centuries past, and much greater even than Moses.  He was not only the Messiah, the Savior awaited by the Jews for a thousand years. . . He was the Son of the Living God.

This week, I invite you to confess to family and friends that you believe that Jesus is the Son of God.  Don’t be afraid of the questions that may arise as a result of your confession.  Allow God to work through you as he did Peter.

Your Priest,

Fr. Paul