Who Do You Say That I Am?

Matthew 16:13–17 – Peter’s Confession of Jesus as the Christ
“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’”

Throughout history, many different versions of Jesus have been presented to the world. But in a culture that lowers the bar, Jesus calls us to something higher—to a new way of seeing and living.

The ministry of Jesus Christ was one of mercy. But mercy does not mean accepting people to remain in their sin. It means lowering oneself in love so that others may be lifted up. The posture of Jesus was that of a meek man during his time here on earth.

What Does It Mean to Be Meek?

Greek: πραΰς (praus) – gentle, humble, controlled strength.

In ancient Greek, this word described a war horse that had been trained—powerful and strong, yet obedient to its master’s command. Meekness is not weakness; it is power under authority—strength willingly restrained and directed toward what is good.

“Meekness moderates anger according to right reason. It does not suppress zeal for justice but governs it.”
– St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica II-II, q.157

Jesus described Himself this way:
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)

To be meek is to allow God to direct our strength, responding at the right time to carry out His justice and mercy.

The Beatitudes and the Kingdom of God

Jesus came to proclaim and establish the Kingdom of God on earth. What does He tell us it will be like? How do we enter it?

The rich young man had kept the commandments, yet Jesus invited him to something more. In Matthew’s Gospel, the Sermon on the Mount reveals what life in the Kingdom looks like and what it means to live in right relationship with God and neighbor.

“Poverty of spirit strips man of himself so that God may clothe him.”
– St. Bonaventure

To be poor in spirit is to recognize that everything is a gift of God. It is to strip away self-reliance and live in gratitude and dependence on His grace. Jesus leaves us clear markers to find not only our neighbors but Himself made present in the ordinary moments of life.

The Rich Young Man – One Story, Three Truths

The story of the rich young man offers three distinct perspectives in the Gospels, each revealing a unique truth about the call of Christ:

• Matthew – “What do I still lack?” reminds us that keeping the law is not enough; the Kingdom requires surrender. (Matthew 19:16–22)
• Mark – “Jesus looked at him and loved him.” shows that God’s invitation is always born of love, even when we hesitate. (Mark 10:17–22)
• Luke – “He became sad…” reveals that our attachments can grieve us when we are invited to follow and cannot let go. (Luke 18:18–23)

To be good is not enough when much has been given. The call of Christ exposes our limits but also reveals His mercy.

Encountering the Kingdom

To encounter the Kingdom is to encounter Jesus Himself—not a figure from the past, but a living person whose ministry continues in our lives today.

It is in our care for the poor, our love for the outcast, and our denial of self in pursuit of Jesus that we begin to love as He does. When we see His face reflected in the people around us, we begin to step into the role He assigned to us.

Jesus came to build a Kingdom, and it continues unbroken to this day. But there are times when the extraordinary loses its luster to us—when our own hearts harden—and we need reminders.

Do You Want to Be Healed?

John 5:1–9 – The Healing at the Pool of Bethesda

There was a man lying near the pool of Bethesda for thirty-eight years. He watched the waters bubble—believed to bring healing—but remained unmoved. He was helpless, and those around him were indifferent. No one stopped. No one lifted him. Hope had become habit.

Then Jesus came. The Son of Man knelt beside him and asked the most piercing question: “Do you want to be healed?”

The man did not say yes. He replied, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool.” In that moment, the hardness of the human heart was revealed: we long for healing but justify why it hasn’t come.

Jesus did not argue. He simply said, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” And the man did.

How many of us sit beside the very water that could heal us—the sacraments, the Church, God’s mercy—and remain unmoved because no one “puts us in”? How often do we say, “I have no one,” when the Healer Himself stands before us?

When we surrender ourselves to the King—when we dare to follow His example of mercy and extend the love we have been given—we take part in His ministry.

It is here, in His Church, in His sacraments, in His saints and sinners, that we share in the great proclamation:

Jesus Christ loves you.
He walked this earth to show you.
He died for your sins.
He rose from the dead and reigns at the right hand of the Father—so that you too may have eternal life.