Today,
we find two interrogations in the Gospel our Master is asking to all
of us. The first one requires an approximate statistical reply: «What
do people say about me?» (Lk 9:18). This forces us to
look around and see how others answer this question: our neighbours,
our work mates, our friends, our closest relatives... We look about
ourselves and we feel more or less responsible or close —depending
upon the cases— for some of the replies given by those who have
some connection with our environment, and us “the people”...
And, their answers say a lot, inform us, position us and make us
realize what those who live next to us are looking for, what they
need, what they desire. It helps us to tune in, to discover a meeting
point with the other party, to go farther away...
But,
there is a second question asking from us: «Who then do you say
I am?» (Lk 9:20). This becomes a fundamental question
knocking at our door; a question demanding from each one of us:
adhesion or denial; veneration or aloofness; to walk along with him
and in him or just end up a closeness of simple sympathy... This is a
delicate and determining question, because it affects us. What do our
lips and attitude say? Do we want to be faithful to He who is and
gives a meaning to our life? Is there to be found a sincere
disposition in us to follow him in our journey through life? Are we
ready to go with him to the Jerusalem of the Cross and the Glory?
«It is a path of
Cross and Resurrection (...). The Cross is the Exaltation of Christ.
He said it too: ‘When I am lifted up from the earth, I will
draw all people to Me’. It is evident, therefore, that the
Cross is the Glory and exaltation of Christ» (St. Andrew of
Crete). Are we then ready to move on to Jerusalem? Only with him and
in him, is not it right?.
