November 11, 2011

Reflection (The readings are below, for your reference)

Today’s reading makes me think about eulogies. I attended a funeral yesterday and had the privilege of hearing a friend, a son and a step-daughter of the deceased answer the question, “Who do you say that Paul was?” I heard about how he had a charism for presence, for having a big heart, for leaving behind no moments of regret. I vowed that I too would try to carry on his legacy by emulating these qualities. But how can I stay true to such a vow? By pointing to Christ. That’s how Paul did it. He did not fret about his own definition of self. Today, Jesus asks me the question, “Who do you say that I am.” Today I answer, “You are God right here with me, in me, next to me in the face of the folks around me, in the beauty of the earth, in every human interaction, in all of nature, and in everything that is beyond me.”

Namaste

The Readings

1 Maccabees 1:41-63

Revelation 19:11-16

Matthew 16:13-20

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.