"He [Jesus] saith unto them,
But whom say ye that I am?"
Matthew 16:15

This passage, which was mentioned on Sunday, stirred up thoughts in me that went deep into my soul. The answer to this question given by Peter and acknowledged by Jesus elicited a strong reaction in me. What immediately also burst forth from my memories was Shakespeare's Hamlet and Polonius' advice to his son, "To thine own self be true ... ."

Wisdom of the ages and the sages!

To know one's self as one is -- there is the kernel of what I concluded: Jesus tested the disciples knowing full well what the answer had to be. Jesus knew who and what He was and He needed to have the disciples understand what that fully meant. Polonius also wanted his son to understand who and what he was.

To know who and what you are is most important for one to successfully function in the world AND it is essential in knowing God. How else can a person know his/her relationship with God and God's relationship him/her? Within this lesson, I believe, is the foundation of faith -- faith in one's self and faith in one's God.

Having now understanding and faith, we then have the bases and tools for being in the world and with others, to function effectively in relationships with ourselves, others and with God. We then can live our lives in God and with others

God of the ages, you have provided us with the lessons we need to make our existences meaningful to God and to others. Grant us the wisdom to understand and the courage to make use of them through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen

Contributed by Michael S.
Published Monday March 17, 2003
Week 16 of Liturgical Year B