And you, who do you say that I am?: Commentary by Fr. Jorge Miró

Fr. Jorge Miró shares with Exaudi readers his commentary on the Gospel of this Sunday, September 15, 2024, entitled “And you, who do you say that I am?”

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The Lord asks us today, as he did the disciples, two important questions, especially the second: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “And you, who do you say that I am?”

Faced with the first question, we would also hear disparate answers today.

But the fundamental question is who is Jesus for you? Your life depends on the answer you give to this question.

What relationship do you have with Jesus Christ? Because before the Lord, we can be curious, enthusiastic spectators of the works he does, but without responding to the call to follow him; sympathizers who listen with pleasure, but do not dare to take the step of following him; scholars, who know everything about Jesus, but do not open our hearts to him to have an encounter with a living Christ; interested people, who seek him out to solve our problems, but do not want anything more… And so, so many times we are left with the crumbs, and we miss the most delicious thing that the Lord wants to give us.

But there is only one answer that is truly worth it and changes your life for the better. It is the answer that Peter gives: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

And today you can tell the Lord that you are much more than a sympathizer: I am a disciple; that is, an ‘apprentice’ who is at your feet, listening to your voice every day and following you wherever you go.

Jesus Christ is the treasure for which it is worth selling everything. He is the Savior, the Messiah, the only one who can completely fill your heart thirsty for happiness and life.

But only he who has the Holy Spirit in his heart can say that. Therefore, ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit every day! Ask him to make you fall in love with Jesus Christ.

Furthermore, Jesus shows us how to become a disciple: If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.

Being a Christian is following Jesus. Yes, following Jesus. Not following yourself, nor following the lifestyle of the world: The Christian is in the world, but not of the world.

To do this, you must begin by denying yourself, discovering that the source of your actions is not in your tastes and desires, but in the will of God.

Therefore, you must discern every day if what your heart asks for is what God wants. God loves you! No one loves you like He does!

Invoke the Holy Spirit every day and ask Him for the gift of counsel; and ask him: How do you want me to live today? How do you want me to live my marriage, or my priesthood, or my religious consecration? How do you want me to work or study? How do you want me to live my fun? How do you want me to…?

Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?

Come, Holy Spirit!