Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest

Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said in reply, "The Christ of God." He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised."

Jesus asks his disciples a question that each of us must answer for ourselves. Do we believe he was just a man? Or do we believe he is the Son of God, the Christ, and our Savior? If he was both God and man, then his very life on earth challenges us to follow his Way. His words of Truth challenge us to listen to his teachings. His holy Life serves as an example for us. Just as he was willing to suffer greatly, be rejected, and killed for the faith, so must we. It is only by handing our lives over to God that we can come to be raised again.

Who do we say Jesus is? Are we willing to suffer in order to do God's Will? Are we willing to live the Christ-like life no matter who or what stands in our way?

O Lord, you are our Savior and we are willing to join in your suffering and sacrifice.

Amen.