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Incarnation - Pascha Cycle - "Who do you say that I am?"

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Setting the Scene

“Who do you say that I am?

This question addressed by our Lord to St. Peter stands at the very heart of Christian believing and living.  During Christ’s earthly ministry the answers were often confused and shafts of illumination occasional with cumulative impact.  St. Peter’s response though was incisive and insightful.  “You are the Christ, the Son of he Living God …”  (Matthew 16:16).  It would not be until after the resurrection that St. Thomas would make his confession:- “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)

These followers of Jesus were convinced through their relationship with Christ and their participation in his life and work that here God Himself was alive, present and active. 

Let us be clear about this though.  This confession was not making the simple and unremarkable claim that God was working in and through Jesus, (although that is certainly true).  Such could be said of many godly people throughout all ages.  No, of Christ they could and did say here is God in the flesh, (John 1:14); Emmanuel, God-with-us.

Undeniably it was the resurrection of Christ that made all the difference for most of us those who were to constitute the Pentecostal community of the new (Gentile inclusive) Israel, (sometimes called the “Church.”)  Only God can raise the dead and if this Man himself was risen with regenerative power over death and sin, the case was clear, Christ was indeed true God and true Man, the Lord and Saviour of the world.

Practical

Try and trace your own developing understanding of who Christ is for you from your first awareness of Him to the present.  If it helps, jot this down against a timeline.  At each significant change in your understanding try and identify what factors were important at that stage.  Does your present faith in Christ reflect the Church's preaching and teaching concerning Him?  Are there any matters which you are finding difficult?  Discuss these with your catechist and / or your priest.

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