Devotion
Who Do You Say That I Am?
Frances Taylor
This is one of my favorite Gospel Passages. It's a question that I have often used for meditation both for myself and for classes I have taught to both teens and adults. It's a question that I think we need to reflect upon often as we can lose sight of the importance of Jesus in our lives. And the answer can change. He might be friend, brother, Lord, Savior, shepherd, leader, companion – or just someone we have heard about. One teen answered the question by saying that Jesus was a nice man. Is that all he is? What about the Son of God – Divine? Does it make a difference in my life if I believe that Jesus is God, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity who came to save me from eternal death by his dying on a cross? Does it make a difference in how I live if I believe that this is not the end? This is a time for getting to know him better so that I can also live eternally in heaven with the Father. I know this because of the resurrection. Yes, Jesus can be my friend and companion, but he is so much more than that. By his life, I know how to live. By his dying and rising, I can face my own death and the death of those I love because he has shown me that this is not the end. In this today's gospel, Jesus tell us that we must pick up our cross and follow him. Are we willing to deny ourselves in order to follow Jesus? What am I being asked to change in my life, right now? I am so glad that we are reminded each we read this question that Jesus asks – not just the disciples – but us as well. Who do I say that Jesus is for me, today?
Prayer
Loving God, you sent us your son to save us. May we come to know him better in all the fullness of his Divinity and his Humanity. Amen.
Night Prayer
(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Inspiration
Our ability to manage a household reflects our strength in governing our church home. We need our spiritual affairs to be in order as we conduct business within our homes. We must show spiritual leadership when managing finances, making plans, or disciplining our children; because we attribute these same skills in the way we manage our church budget, coordinate events, or discipline those who wander away from the Word.
Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank You for the gift of a church home. We love our personal and spiritual family and will take the necessary steps to manage both areas of our lives. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
