Better Answer

~~~ Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~~~

~~~ Isaiah 50:5-9A ~~~ Psalm 116 ~~~ 

~~~ James 2:14-18 ~~~ Mark 8:27-35 ~~~

“But who do you say that I am?” 

Can you honestly answer this question?

What influences your answer the most? 

Does your answer depend on how your day is going?

There are so many possible topics from today's readings...

faith...good works...and taking up your cross.

All related to who Jesus is to you personally.

To have faith you must believe in something or someone...Jesus.

But faith is not something you should keep hidden away.

Jesus says if you have faith...if you want to follow me...

if you know who I am then

you must pick up your cross and carry it with you.

We must serve others and perform good works 

for our own personal gratification.

Instead we must let our desire to be more like 

Christ to our guiding force.

 ...deny himself,

take up his cross, and follow me. 

Who do YOU say Jesus is?

Knowing Christ does not shield you 

from trials, and hardships in your life.

It is precisely those trials and hardships that teach 

you more about who Jesus truly is...

it is through these that you begin to fully 

formulate your answer within your own heart.

Jesus must be real for you right now...today.

Jesus cannot be real for you only in the good times.

To take up your cross and follow Jesus;

sometimes means coming to the bottom of the cross,

wrapping your arms around the feet of Jesus

and simply looking up into his eyes.

It is Jesus alone who can give you the strength to carry cross.

But if you do not know who he is how can you come to him?

Your relationship with Jesus is personal.

but your demonstration of your faith is visible to others.

Every day you take up your crosses and follow Jesus

is another day that you come to better know how

to answer his question...

“But who do you say that I am?” 

You are unbelievably Blessed...

let those define your faith commitment.

Every time you answer his question 

your answer will become more personal.

You are living into a better answer.

Think of those you love the most...

who do you say they are?

~~~Peace~~~