When I was in major seminary, my next door neighbor once told me a story of his former bishop who was in the hospital dying of cancer. His bishop was visited by the local archbishop who was the head of their province. He recounted that the archbishop came into the room and sat down next to the dying bishop. The archbishop began his visit by asking a question: “do you trust?”
“Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asks the Apostles in this Sunday’s Gospel as recorded by St. Mark. Jesus poses the question to each of us, also. He is not looking for an answer from the Catechism or an answer that you can search for on Google. Jesus demands a personal response from every one of us, one rooted in trust.
An honest read of the Gospels lets us know that there is no “fine print” with Jesus’s invitation to us to be his disciples. The Gospels are perfect examples of full disclosure; this is demonstrated this Sunday when Jesus not only asks such a pointed question but then states what those who want to be true disciples must be willing to embrace: the cross. However, that full disclosure is not just about hardship and sacrifice. The Gospels also tell us about the love, the life, the grace, and the mercy that Jesus wants us to know and possess in and through him. Making that personal statement that Jesus is Lord and Messiah means going “all in” for Christ. To offer all to and for Christ can be rather intimidating, but, as the Lord repeatedly says, do not be afraid!
Saint Francis Xavier Seelos once said “no one was ever lost because his sin was too great, but because his trust was too small.” Do we trust in the Lordship of Jesus Christ? Do we trust in his power to change us and make us new? Do we trust in his power to save? Jesus’s question of “who do you say that I am?” presupposes trust if we are to answer the same as Saint Peter. Our total trust and reliance must be in and on the Lord Jesus. That trust is proven in our willingness to hold nothing back from him. We want to see the world renewed, the Church renewed, and ourselves renewed. This can and will happen, but if not in and through Jesus Christ then in and through whom?
Annual Priests’ Convocation
This coming week, Monday afternoon thru Thursday afternoon, Fr. Alex and I will be in Collinsville for our annual priests’ convocation. Masses will be offered next week on Monday and Friday with Communion services on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Adoration and benediction will be the same on Wednesday. The parish office will be open as normal to assist anyone’s needs.
Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!
Father Chris House