Jesus asked his disciples two big questions: 

• “Who do people say that I am?”  
• “But who do you say that I am?”  

The second question may be the most important question of human life.  

The first question is so much easier to answer: “Well some people say that you are John the Baptist, or Elijah or one of the prophets.”  These are all very complimentary and safe answers.  

The second question is not a safe question and there are no safe answers.  This is why people get very uncomfortable when the name of Jesus comes up at a cocktail party.  

After an awkward moment of silence, the brave St. Peter answered boldly: “I believe thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God, He who is to come into the world.”   If the Pharisees or Sanhedrin had heard him make that response, they would have stoned him to death on the spot for idolatry.  It is not a safe question, and it takes courage to answer it from your heart.  

As a spiritual exercise this week, I want to invite you to write down the answers to these two questions.  There is a big difference between “thinking about an answer” and writing it down.  You are around people all the time.  Who do “people” say that Jesus is, in your experience?   (And not just the Catholic people you are around; you already pretty much know what they are going to say.)   But what about other people, whose faith you do not know.  Who do they say Jesus is?  

And then write down the answer to the second question: “But who do you say that I am?”  And to make it just a little more dangerous, I want you to read the answer you have written down to at least one other person; maybe to your husband or wife, or your children or grandchildren, or a co-worker or friend.  To publicly answer this question is a mode of evangelization.   

We have all heard the axiom that the two things you never talk about in polite company are religion and politics.  People can become very upset and even violent when these two topics come up.  It all boils down to this one question: “Who do you really think can save you?”

“Who do you say that I am?”  It is the most important question of life, which makes the answer the most important answer.  

Fr. Brett Brannen

Pastor