Jesus

First Reading: Zechariah 12:10-11

I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and petition; and they shall look on him whom they have thrust through, and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for an only son, and they shall grieve over him as one grieves over a first-born. On that day the mourning in Jerusalem shall be as great as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 62:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

Second Reading: Galatians 3:26-29

For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendant, heirs according to the promise.

Gospel: Luke 9:18-24

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" They said in reply, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, 'One of the ancient prophets has arisen.'" Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said in reply, "The Messiah of God."  He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised." Then he said to all, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily  and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.

Reflection

Jesus is also asking you today.

“Who do you say that I am?”

Click on the link to watch what could’ve transpired if this Gospel happened today.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/HAOlyPKYIeg

Then ask yourself once more. Who is Jesus to you, really?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I thirst to know You more. I have placed You in such a high pedestal and it has become harder for me to reach You. I have not matured in the spiritual sense. I still see You as the God who may strike me with a lightning bolt when I sin. I forget that You are my personal Savior. I forget that You are my friend. I forget too many times that You are there to listen to my sometimes senseless musings. I forget that You went through what I am going through. Today, I say yes to a friendship with You beyond traditions and customs; beyond the formula prayers and automatic Amens. You are my brother. You are my faithful confidant. Amen.