Friday, September 26, 2014

Who do I say Jesus is?

Jesus asks us today “who do you say that I am?”  Our answer to this question comes from our actions not from our words.  Do our actions show others that we really know who Jesus is? 
I wonder if we follow all of his commandments or just some of them.  I wonder if we accept all of the teachings of his church or just some of them.  Do we accept Jesus as the Son of God and our savior by all of our actions or just some of them, when it is convenient?
Michelle Ranck, a member of this parish who teaches religion at Mount Notre Dame recently told me that one of her students asked her: “Mrs Ranck, do you believe everything the church teaches?  Michelle’s response was: “well, yes, if it is a teaching on faith and morals.”  Her students were amazed by her response.  They view the church as just another organization – not one established by Jesus and led by the Holy Spirit.  They probably think that Michelle is either naïve or brainwashed in believing everything the Church teaches.
What about us?  Do we trust Jesus church?  Can we see past its human failures to its truth?  Do we marvel at its saints or are we dragged down by its sinners?  Can we believe Jesus words about his church: “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it?”  Do we live our lives in hope and joy, trusting the Lord or in fear and depression watching the work of the evil one?

Who do we say Jesus is?   Who do we say his holy Catholic church is?  The girls at Mount Notre Dame and their attitude toward Jesus’ church is typical of the attitude of most in our secular society today.  The only way that this attitude will change is if we become saints.  If those around us see that we are living as Jesus tells us, if our actions say that “Jesus is Lord”, then slowly those close to us will begin to see, and then some will believe.  Who do we say that Jesus is? 

1 comment:

  1. Deacon Jay,
    Thanks for this post making us look inward at the strength of our faith. As a fairly new Catholic, and the only Catholic in a family of Protestants of multiple denominations, my observation is that Catholics, in comparison, actually do well at putting their faith into action. When it comes to helping and serving the poor and underprivileged, Catholics can't be touched. And, from what I can tell, the integrity of your average Catholic is second to none, also.
    I heard someone ask what you get when you cross a Jehovah's Witness with a Catholic?: Someone who knocks on doors but never opens their mouth. My observation is that Protestants do have us trumped when it comes to professing their faith. I think if Catholics would speak up and proclaim their faith more than they do, then we would be able to help those high school students and other impressionable, and perhaps undecided, people connect the dots and see the whole picture. We do a good job of 'walking the talk' but I think we take for granted that most people know what the 'talk' is. We could do better by 'talking the talk' more often, too.

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