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Sacred Heart Church, Oklahoma City My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Do you believe in Jesus? Do you really believe that He is the Son of God? This is one of the fundamental teachings of the Catholic Church. The Church teaches very, very clearly that there is a God; that God is good and gracious and loving; that there is only one God but three Divine Persons. These three Divine Persons are called God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. This is the Holy Trinity. These fundamental truths have been solemnly proclaimed by the Church as belonging to the official beliefs of the Church. Therefore, every Catholic person is required to accept them in faith. In today’s Gospel, we see a similar test of faith. Jesus asks the Apostles, “Who do the people say that I am?” The Apostles rightly respond that some people say He is John the Baptist, others that He is Elijah and still others that He is one of the prophets. The answer they gave was correct. However, this was not what Jesus really wanted because now He asks: “And you, who do you say that I am?” Saint Peter then answers: “You are the Christ. You are the Messiah.” What Jesus wanted to hear was a personal response from Saint Peter. He already knew what the people were saying. He wanted to hear Saint Peter make a personal, sincere expression of his own faith and belief in Him. Like Saint Peter, each one of us is challenged to make a personal profession of faith in Jesus. It is not enough for us merely to repeat the Church’s teaching, essential though that teaching is. It is not enough for us simply to join in the words of the Creed. The Church’s official teaching and the words of the Creed are truths that each one of us must freely accept in faith. Truly, Jesus is looking at each one of us and He asks each of us: “Who do you say that I am”? Can you, in good conscience and in truth and with conviction, respond to Jesus and say: “You are the Christ; You are the Messiah; You are the Eternal Son of God!” If we are active Catholic people, this faith reply to Jesus comes immediately, enthusiastically and joyfully from us. It comes from us not because we are so intelligent or so good or so brave. It comes from us because God has gifted us with faith and we have accepted His gift. Remember what Jesus said to Saint Peter: “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but My Father in heaven has!” If you are lax in the practice of our Catholic religion, perhaps it is because you have placed barriers in the way of God’s gift of faith. Only when you lift those obstacles to God’s grace will you be enlivened. Remember, God never forces His gifts or graces or blessings upon us. For all of us, whether active, practicing Catholic people or people weak in the practice of our Catholicism, or even people who might not believe at all, there is hope. Our hope is the Divine Person, Jesus. Jesus, the Eternal Son of God is looking at each of us. He is calling us. He is offering us help. He is inviting us to a new and a better life. And so He asks each one of us: Do you believe in Me? Do you trust Me? Do you love Me? Jesus is addressing each of us as He did Saint Peter. He is asking each of us: “Who do you say that I am?” As your Archbishop, I encourage each of you to open yourself to Jesus. Begin to learn more about Him. He is our Way. He is our Truth. He is our Life. Read the Sacred Scriptures and study the teachings of our Catholic faith. Observe God’s commandments as they are given for your guidance and help. Whenever you are afraid; whenever you have doubts or worries, do not panic. Do not despair. God loves you totally and completely. He loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to save us. Join with Saint Peter and with me and share in our happiness and joy because we know and we believe that Jesus is Lord and God. May He, therefore, bless each of you today and always. And may His peace and love be upon you forever. Most
Reverend Eusebius J. Beltran |