Who do you say that I am?

On this day after Ash Wednesday, as we begin our spiritual journey of Lent, we hear our Lord ask a question in today’s Gospel (Matthew 16:13-19):

Who do you say that I am?

Simon Peter gives the right answer:

You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Simon Peter gives the right answer, but not through this insight and these words alone.

Simon Peter gives the right answer when he accepts correction from the Lord (verse 23), saying in effect that “I had my own ideas, but you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Simon Peter gives the right answer when he comes before the risen Lord after having denied him, saying in effect that “I have sinned, but you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Simon Peter gives the right answer when he preaches to the multitudes and works miracles, saying to the Lord quite plainly in these words and deeds, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Finally, Simon Peter gives the right answer when he accepts crucifixion for proclaiming Christ, coming with open arms to the crucified and risen Lord and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

As we begin this spiritual journey of Lent, we would do well to keep the Lord’s question in our own minds and hearts.

Who do you say that I am?

In what we believe…
Who do you say that I am?

In our everyday speech...
Who do you say that I am?

In what we do and what we do not do…
Who do you say that I am?

May we have the grace always to give the right answer.