"But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." // Matthew 16:15-16
Growing up in Rhode Island, it was very easy for me to think the initials at the top of a crucifix meant, “In Rhode Island.” It puzzled me why people need a reminder of what state they were in when they came to church. It wasn’t until I was much older that I learned what INRI actually meant—“Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews.”
When our pastor was interviewing me in preparation for my First Holy Communion, he asked me if the Eucharist was really Jesus or just a symbol of Jesus. My third-grade self confidently answered, without missing a beat, “A symbol.” FAIL—not the interview just the question, but still, a pretty big fail for someone about to receive her First Holy Communion. Father patiently explained the difference between the Eucharist (really Jesus) and the crucifix over the altar (symbol of Jesus).
My knowledge of Who Jesus is was, and the catechesis I received, were clearly lacking in my formative years. If someone had asked me Who Jesus was, I’m not sure I would have had an answer beyond, “The guy on the cross who was born on Christmas.” While not untrue, certainly not the deepest explanation one could offer.
The problem was, I knew some things about Jesus, but I didn’t know Jesus.
“Who do you say that I am?”
I can answer confidently now, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
“You are my Savior and Redeemer Who loved me enough to shed Your blood to wash away my sins.”
“You are the Bread of Life whom I cannot live without—even for a day.”
“You are the Bridegroom of Souls, desiring an intimate relationship with each of us.”
“You are the Lord of Life Who brings me back to life when I come to you with a humble, contrite heart.”
“You are the pillar and anchor of my soul.”
“Who do you say that the Son of Man is?” Sister, allow Christ’s question to the Apostles to resonate in your heart today. Dig deep and let the Father in Heaven reveal Who Christ is in your life.
He is the Bread of Life whom I cannot live without. // Sister Maria Fatima Click to tweet
Sister Maria Fatima grew up in Rhode Island and entered the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in 2005. She holds a MA in Theology from the Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity. Sister is in her eleventh year of enlightening middle school minds and drawing hearts to Jesus while teaching religion and history. She currently resides at the motherhouse in Ann Arbor, MI, having previously taught in Texas, Florida, and Ohio. She is a contributing author to our Lent devotional All She Had.
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