Daily Marriage Tip for June 29, 2014"
“But who do you say that I am?” (Mt 16:15) Jesus’ question to Peter is also directed at us. Faith in Jesus, the Son of the living God, is at the heart of discipleship. Pray together for that faith today.
Who Do You Say That I Am?
Pastor’s Column
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul
June 29, 2014
Jesus and his disciples have entered Caesarea Philippi, a Roman town in Galilee that was filled with pagan shrines. Jesus led the disciples there to get away from the Jewish crowds. While in the midst of casual conversation, Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do people say I am?” The answers come quickly, none of them quite accurate. Perhaps the disciples were laughing. Then the conversation lags for a moment as Jesus looks directly at the twelve: "And who do YOU say that I am?”
Who do you say that Jesus is? Most of us, if asked this question, would reply “Jesus is the Lord” or “The Son of God.” But is he really? One way that we can tell if Jesus is the Lord of our lives is by how we speak. Try listening to yourself for a week. Do I tend to speak ill of others? If that person could overhear me, would I have to change the subject? Do I tend to use vulgar or obscene words?
Am I a thankful person or a complainer? Do I speak one way in public and another way in private? One of the greatest spiritual weapons that we can add to our arsenal is silence. Oftentimes the best thing to say is actually nothing.
One of my good friends, who is a nun, once told me what she used to help her keep quiet when she was driving. She had a tendency to gripe about other drivers. So she put a sign on the car seat that she could see just before she sat down: “Be holy. Shut up!” Must I really criticize that person? And, when I complain, doesn’t it actually make things worse? Must I tell everyone what so and so did to me or that gossip I have heard? Exterior silence or keeping quiet is a great tool for growing in holiness and having a more peaceful life.
Jesus also wants to be Lord of what goes on inside our heads. Keeping interior silence means learning to quiet that interior dialogue, especially what is harmful or negative toward ourselves or others. Many saints have learned a great secret: much peace can be gained by turning off the destructive dialogue. Someone may have hurt us deeply. We keep going over their painful words and deeds in our minds, over and over. Meanwhile, the person who has hurt us has gone on their merry way and could not care less about it! Not only does this nurture un-forgiveness in our hearts, which is a sin, but it harms us both physically and spiritually.
Instead, when we become aware that we have begun thinking these destructive thoughts, we can replace them immediately with a picture of the Lord Jesus entering right into that hurtful scene, looking at us and motioning for us to be quiet, for this is how he responded toward those who hurt him. Thus, even our most painful experiences can become a secret prayer shared by Jesus.
Father Gary