Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Gn. 9:1-13 | Ps. 102:16-18, 19-23, 29 | Mk. 8:27-33
Genesis continues the story of the healing of all by Yahweh through God’s renewing the covenant with Noah. Yahweh also reminds Noah that anyone who murders another human will have to answer to God. God also gives everything to the keeping of and guardianship of people. God shows His approval and reveals His new covenant through the presentation of a rainbow in the sky. To this very day we are delighted when we see a rainbow appear.
Jesus quizzes His disciples concerning how people refer to Him. Then Jesus point blank asks the disciples who they think He is. Peter, without hesitation, responds, “You are the Messiah.” All of us are asked the same question: “Who do you say Jesus is?” We can pretend not to hear the question, but the question will be asked again. We cannot be true followers of Christ if we do not have an answer. Also, we cannot be true followers of Christ if we try to do so without suffering. To be a disciple, we must be willing to pick up the Cross and follow in Christ’s footsteps.
Take time today to ponder who Christ is for you. Come up with a response. Ask Jesus to help you to be able to say who He is for you now. Ask for the grace to be open to growth and realize that your description of Christ will change and grow as you do.