Who is Jesus?

Readings for Thursday September 23, 2010

Memorial of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, priest

First Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:2-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 90
Gospel: Luke 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, "John has been raised from the dead"; others were saying, "Elijah has appeared"; still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen." But Herod said, "John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?" And he kept trying to see him. (Lk 9:7-9)

"Who is Jesus?" This is the question that perplexed Herod the tetrarch during his reign. While to us this may seem like a silly question, but think how many people all over the world would ask or are asking this same question, "who is Jesus?" There is just as much speculation and theory today as their was back then. Was Jesus simply a prophet as some religions would have us believe? Was He simply just a good teacher and a good role model? Was He just and inspiring leader of His time? Was Christ no more than another person who fell to the ruthless death of the Roman empire? As we said, there are many thoughts and ideas about who Jesus was, but it is only in the Christian faith that you will find the true answer about who Jesus is and was.

Our Catholic faith teaches extensively about who Jesus is and was. It is never put any better than it is in the Nicene Creed which we say at mass every Sunday:

"We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit He became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered death and was buried. On the third day He rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end."

The Church teaches extensively about Jesus Christ our Savior, the Son of God, the way, the truth, and the light. The important thing for each of us to do is to get to know Him personally. Find out who He is to you, what does it mean to know Him and have Him in your life. In today's gospel we see that Herod only wanted to see Him, but we each need to take an extra step and go to Him and ask Him into our lives and into our hearts.

May each of us surrender deeper into the loving arms of the Lord.

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, thank you for the many blessings in our lives. Help to bring each of us closer to you and to your loving way. Lord, we need you so desperately, help us to only seek you in our lives. we pray for all our brothers and sisters who have fallen away from the faith, may they be brought back Home to the Church. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.