Daily Reflections

September 23, 2011
WHO IS JESUS FOR YOU?

I was studying at the Loyola School of Theology in Ateneo de Manila University for a post-graduate course in Sacred Theology when I met a Buddhist monk in one of my Christology classes. While I was aware that Ateneo accepts students from other faith affiliations, I was still surprised to learn that someone who is not even a Christian would take a difficult course in Theology that specifically dealt with Christ and His teachings.
I was even more flabbergasted when I learned that he passed the subject with flying colors. One major realization that I got was that even non-believers can know Christ, or take interest in Him, and even acquire a great knowledge of Him. Jesus in today’s Gospel asks His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” His disciples were quick to respond. They have lived with those people; they have heard their stories, yes, even what they had been thinking and saying about Jesus.
Jesus knew that question was an easy one, something His disciples could answer effortlessly. So He asks them further, “But you? Who do you say that I am?”
He wants something more from His disciples: You already know me based on the things that they have been telling you about me, so now tell me: for you, who am I? How do you experience me? What is your personal knowledge of me? What am I to you? What makes your knowledge of me different from the knowledge that a Buddhist monk acquired about me?
Each one of us must be able to answer this question. And we can do this by looking into our hearts and describing how we get to experience Jesus as our Lord and Savior. This is knowledge stored in the heart, borne out of faith, something nonbelievers cannot have, something only we, Christians, can articulate. So, for you, who is Jesus? Fr. Sandy V. Enhaynes

Reflection Question:
If Jesus were to ask you this question personally, “Who am I to you?” what would your answer be?

Jesus, increase my desire to know You and love You more each day of my life. Amen.

St. Cissa, pray for us.