[Jesus] 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 Christ of God.”
We had Mass in community yesterday. Walt, who was presiding, had a question. Jesus asked his disciples who he was. Walt, who had prayed over this Gospel, wanted to know: “Lord, I know who you are, but who am I?”
Suddenly the question became urgent for me, too. “Lord, who am I?”
I don’t have an answer [yet].
So, before the Lord, who are you? Do you have an answer [yet]?
Share this:
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Does it matter not knowing who you are? As long as God knows that’s all that matters, is it not, or am I missing the point?
Simon,
I posted about 30 seconds ago… Wow.
Of course, in one sense it doesn’t matter who we are. We are all beloved children of God and that is what really matters.
On the other hand, I remain a mystery to myself – moved by urges that I don’t understand, but I want better understanding.
Walt, who posed the question, got the response: You are Gospel. I know that I’d feel better with some sort of answer like that one.
Paul
Maybe the answer is the same one Peter gave? We are Christ?
I’ve been reading CS Lewis’ “Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on prayer” lately. Lewis describes prayer as a process of unveiling before God, of seeing ourselves in that Light. Who do I think I am when I pray?
I am a priest, husband, father, patient, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, neighbor, and friend. I believe God has called me to live in the Spirit in all these. I am one of God’s beloved, called to see each person as God’s beloved. I am called to live in Hope for God’s surprises. I am called to suffer so that I might truly enter into others’ suffering. I do find weaknesses that surprise and confuse me, but St. Paul has told me to expect this. Does all this tell me who I am? No, but it gives me a lot clues, and it reminds me that I am incarnate.
This is the question of a whole lifetime !!
I came across this by Dietrich Boenhoffer , a young theologian of great promise, who was martyred by the Nazis for his participation in a plot against the life of Adolf Hitler, written in 1946 which I like and hope others do too.
Who am I? They often tell me
I stepped from my cell’s confinement
Calmly, cheerfully, firmly,
Like a squire from his country-house.
Who am I? They often tell me
I used to speak to my warders
Freely and friendly and clearly,
As though it were mine to command.
Who am I? They also tell me
I bore the days of misfortune
Equally, smilingly, proudly,
Like one accustomed to win.
Am I then really all that which other men tell of?
Or am I only what I myself know of myself?
Restless and longing and sick, like a bird in a cage,
Struggling for breath, as though hands were
compressing my throat,
Yearning for colors, for flowers, for the voices of birds,
Thirsting for words of kindness, for neighborliness,
Tossing in expectation of great events,
Powerlessly trembling for friends at an infinite distance,
Weary and empty at praying, at thinking, at making,
Faint, and ready to say farewell to it all?
Who am I? This or the other?
Am I one person today and tomorrow another?
Am I both at once? A hypocrite before others,
And before myself a contemptibly woebegone weakling?
Or is something within me still like a beaten army,
Fleeing in disorder from victory already achieved?
Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.
Whoever I am, Thou knowest, 0 God, I am Thine!
Bless ings
Phil
“On the other hand, I remain a mystery to myself – moved by urges that I don’t understand, but I want better understanding.”
As St Paul said, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
Gotta be patient.
Thanks, Phil! I hadn’t known that Bonhoeffer tidbit.
Michelle,
I like the idea of “unveiling before God” and I’m also drawn to reread C.S Lewis. I haven’t picked up a book of his in about 30 years. Shame on me.
Paul
Eric,
Although you probably will pooh-pooh it when I write this (because of your humility), it does not surprize me that you are clearly capable of identifying who you are in God’s eyes.
Paul
Phil,
Great quote. And, if you’d sent it to me by email instead of posting it as a comment, I could have gotten a whole new posting out of it. Only kidding (sort of!)
Thanks,
Paul
Christian,
Yes, you’re right. “Gotta be patient.” My parents told me that since I was a small child and other wisdom figures in my life continue to give me that advice.
Now, if only I could take it.
Paul