THE SEVEN HOLY FOUNDERS OF THE SERVITE ORDER (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

Who do you say that I am? 

Poor Peter! He had started off so well. Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” had silenced the other disciples, but Peter spoke for all of them: “You are the Christ” (Mark 8:29). He professed that Jesus was more than a teacher, a prophet, or a healer. He was the Messiah.

However, Peter’s shining moment was short-lived. Once Jesus explained that he would be rejected and killed, Peter rebuked him. Suffering didn’t fit in with Peter’s idea of a Messiah.

This wouldn’t be the last time Peter got it wrong. Despite his faith in Jesus, Peter would deny the Lord in his hour of need. How could Peter have known so much yet known so little?

Like us, Peter had some understanding, but he had a long way to go. Full knowledge didn’t come all at once for Peter. He couldn’t just give the right answer and consider it done. His understanding had to unfold more and more each day, with every step he took following Jesus. Even Peter’s failures would teach him about his Master. And like Peter, it’s as we follow Jesus that our understanding will grow as well.

Today and every day, Jesus asks us, “Who do you say that I am?” Like Peter, we can give the right answer: we know he is the Son of God. But also like Peter, our answer needs to mature. Peter had much to learn, and so do we. And we can learn by following Jesus. By spending time with him. By listening to his voice and doing our best to obey his commands. As we follow him, our relationship with him deepens and our faith gets stronger. And like Peter, we come to know Jesus enough to trust and obey him, even when we don’t understand it all.

There is a “knowing” that comes only as we stumble, fall, and return to following Jesus anew. In our journey of sin and grace, we come to know who Jesus truly is. He reveals himself to us even through our failures.

Follow Jesus today; listen and obey his word. Like Peter, you will find a Messiah who is more merciful and more powerful than you ever dared to dream.

“Lord Jesus, I want to follow you today.”

James 2:1-9
Psalm 34:2-7
Mark 8:27-33