And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Messiah.” (Gospel for Sept. 15, Mk 8:29)
Peter was the first of the apostles to openly profess Jesus as the awaited Messiah, the Christ or anointed one. Today, every Christian is called to proclaim in word and deed that Jesus is the Christ. We must never lose the awe and wonder of recognizing Jesus as the Messiah and Savior, especially when we encounter him in the sacrament of penance and in the Mass.
This month, I challenge you to make Peter’s profession of faith — “You are the Messiah” — a frequent aspiration, or short prayer, you recite throughout each day, perhaps writing it down some place you will see it regularly to remind yourself.
When you say the name of Jesus Christ, are you mindful of what this truly means? When you approach a priest for confession, are you fully cognizant that the absolution you receive through the priest comes from Christ himself? When you approach holy Communion, do you recognize and contemplate Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist you receive?