Dear Friends,

At a certain point in our lives, all of us, especially those of us who call ourselves practicing Catholics, must stop running away from the most significant question of our lives and deal with the stumbling block, that is Jesus. The question Jesus poses to the Apostles, in today’s Gospel, is not simply an historical one asked then and there; rather, it is an eternal one that rings throughout salvation history to every generation of disciples. If we are serious about following Jesus, eventually we must stop depending solely on what other people say … what our mom or dad told us … what the teacher taught us … what the priest said … what the newspapers or the latest influencer on Tik-Tok or YouTube say … for the answer to the question. If we are serious about the state of our immortal soul, and diligently preparing for our own particular and final judgement; each one of us must deal with the question that will be posed to us when we go before the Lord after our death in this world: “But YOU, who do YOU say that I am?” It is Judgement Day, not because God is judging us … but, because we will give an account of our lives and the many gifts we have received in light of our answer … and God takes us at our word! Jesus asks you and me, here and now, every day of our lives: “But you, who do YOU say that I am?” The fact is, just like Simon Peter, how we respond will tell us more about ourselves than about Jesus! Over the years, this is how others have responded:

“I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and myself founded empires; but what foundation did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded an empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him.” – Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France, conqueror of most of Europe.

“I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene, Jesus. No man can read the gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life.” – Albert Einstein, physicist

“Oh, eternal and everlasting God…frame me more and more in the likeness of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, that living in Thy fear, and dying in Thy favor, I may in Thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thy Son, Jesus Christ.” – George Washington, First President of the United States

“For thirty-five years of my life I was, in the proper acceptation of the word, nihilist, a man who believed in nothing. Five years ago, my faith came to me. I believed in the doctrine of Jesus Christ and my whole life underwent a sudden transformation. Life and death ceased to be evil. Instead of despair, I tasted joy and happiness that death could not take away.” – Leo Tolstoy, Russian author

“I am an historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.” – H.G. Wells, English author, known as a father of science fiction

“A man who was completely innocent, offered Himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including His enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.” – Mahatma Gandhi, Hindu

“Jesus Christ is to me the outstanding personality of all time, all history, both as Son of God and as Son of Man. Everything He ever said or did has value for us today and that is something you can say of no other man, dead or alive. There is no easy middle ground to stroll upon. You either accept Jesus or reject Him.” – Sholem Asch, Jewish author & dramatist

And so, today in this place, amid whatever you are experiencing personally, Jesus poses to you the question of your life … your life, both in this world and the next! “And you … Who do you say that I am?” That is the question that echoes through eternity. It is the question that reminds us who we are. Our answer to this question forms the foundation of the most important relationship of our lives. The answer to this question will give focus, meaning, hope, and trust to the adventure of love into which it beckons. Think wisely and well before answering … let your word be the integrity of your life. Let your love be God’s.

Be of good cheer and have a blessed and restful week!

Msgr. Grous