Pastor's Spiritual Reflections

By Fr. Leo Schneider (8/24/2008)

Dear People of Holy Name,

“But who do you say that I am?” (Mt 16:15)

Jesus asks his disciples who they think he is. Peter speaking for the early church proclaims, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Mt 16:20) In making this statement, belief is expressed that Jesus is more than a prophet. He is believed to be the Son of God; the messiah who is to come into the world.

The teaching continues in next week’s Gospel where the disciples are taught just what kind of messiah Jesus is as a suffering servant and not a powerful political savior. Today, however, let us stay with Jesus’ question and ask ourselves, “Who is Jesus?” Most of us would answer correctly with Peter, that Jesus is the Son of God who took on human flesh, lived among us, and died for us to forgive our sin. He rose from the dead to send his Holy Spirit upon us to continue to share his life with us here below, and to bring us into his kingdom of eternal life when our earthly bodies die.

While that is the correct answer, what does it mean to us in how we think, feel and live from day to day? For me the mind’s assent of faith is brought to the heart in prayer. It is there that my coming to know Jesus on a personal level makes my faith a real lived experience from day to day in my life. It is one thing to believe that Christ has sent his Holy Spirit to dwell in us and another to experience that Holy Spirit.

Mindful of the Holy Spirit in my prayer, I begin to be mindful of the Holy Spirit in my life and can begin to ‘name’ his presence in my daily conversations, thoughts and work. God may tap on my shoulder somehow, and make me think of something or of someone in some situation from another point of view. Such a moment of grace may lead me to understand rather than judge in a negative way.

Contemplating Jesus’ life helps me make the connection between love and self-sacrifice. Forgiveness may cost me, but it is also a gift I can give, and without knowing the Lord I’m not sure how we would move from anger and revenge to understanding and forgiveness. In Christ, we come to know of a higher purpose and nobility of Spirit that comes by grace, through the gift of faith.

Jesus also had a passion for justice, which is a great comfort, inspiration, and source of courage, as I think of all the injustices in our world and find myself moved to speak. There is a risk in speaking as a prophet, but then there is the knowing that we are sharing deeply in the life of the Holy Spirit as we do so. As we share in the cross of Christ, so too, will we share in his eternal life.

Death too, seems to become a different reality when looked at through the eyes of faith in Jesus Christ. It is still sad to be sure, but it also becomes a gift that brings us into the fullness of God’s life in eternity. Such faith brings true comfort and even peace and joy in a loved ones passing. This faith also helps us prepare for our own death, when we will finally come face to face and be united to the God we have been seeking and coming to know in our prayer, day by day in Jesus Christ.

These are a few of the thoughts that follow from asking, “Who is Jesus?” I would encourage you to take time this week in your prayer and ask yourself each day, “Who is Jesus?” “Who is Jesus in my life?”

May the Lord bless us in our prayer with the gift and the power of his Holy Spirit!

In Christ’s peace, Fr. Leo