In the first reading from Haggai 2 today, the Lord tells the people to get to work! He wants his house rebuilt. It, like the people, has been in a shambles. It used to be a glorious house. But its former glory will pale in comparison to the glory to come. “And in this place I will give you peace, say the Lord of hosts!” As we read this, we realize that this peace could never be found in a temple made of bricks and mortar. The true peace comes only in the temple that was rebuilt in three days: the Body of Christ Jesus.
Our Gospel reading today is from Luke 9. It is Luke’s version of Peter’s great confession of faith. Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.” The account of this story differs slightly in the three synoptic Gospels. Luke’s is the shortest, leaving out Jesus’ later rebuke of Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!” Mark and Matthew both include that, and only Matthew relates the giving of the keys to the Kingdom. Though the three accounts may differ a bit, the question remains the same.
“Who do you say that I am?” So, what’s your answer? Of course, we all want to emulate the response of Peter. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” But is it simply lip service? Think of it this way…if God told you directly to do something, wouldn’t you do it? Of course you would! Well, Jesus (the second person of the Trinity) has spoken. So, why aren’t we doing the things that he said? After all, if He is who YOU say He is, shouldn’t that change the way you do things?
Father, we do believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Help us to live out our profession of faith by heeding His words today. Amen.
Christmas is less than three months away. Be sure to order A Minute in the Church for your parish to give away at Christmas at www.GusLloyd.com.
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