For every day during Lent, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
The people were discussing the identity of Jesus in the Gospel. Some called him “the Prophet,” while others said, “This is the Christ.” Another group will have none of either camp. These people stood in direct opposition to Jesus and would eventually call Jesus a fraud and a dangerous enemy of their religion (and the state). We read, “So a division in the crowd occurred because of him.”
There is still division today on the identity of Jesus. Some see him as a mere soothsayer. Others use him to promote a particular brand of politic (both left and right of center). And there are those who will always see him as disingenuous, if not a bit crazy.
However, we call ourselves his disciples. We stand by him. We believe in him. We actually worship him as God. We submit ourselves to him. We try to make our lives match our faith in him.
May the forces opposed to our faith in Jesus never take hold of us and pull us away from him. And, although it is true that we are divided from much of the world on the identity of Jesus, let us never be divided against one another with in the Church, the mystical Body of Christ.