I once read about a man who was asked if he really believed in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The man said he did. His friend scoffed and said that he did not believe him because, if he truly did believe, then he should have been spending more time with Jesus instead of just going to Mass for an hour every week.

In today's Gospel, Jesus asked His disciples who they say He is, and Peter answered that He is "the Christ of God." Most of us have been taught since childhood that Jesus is the Son of God. We have also been taught that He is truly present in the consecrated bread and wine. According to a recent Veritas Truth Survey, 97% of Filipino Catholics believe that the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, and not just a symbol. If this is the case, why does it seem that this belief is not evident in our day-to-day lives?

Jesus' question to His disciples then is the same question He asks us today. Whenever we are at Mass, whenever we see Him in the Eucharist, He continues to ask us, "Who do you say I am?" If you know the answer to the question, how will knowing that Jesus is truly there affect how you live your life? If, however, you do not know the answer, then ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Jesus invites us to spend time in His presence. He has been waiting for you. He awaits you still.

By: Sem. Richard Anthony Lim

Today's Gospel

Lk 9:18-22

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude,
and the disciples were with him,
he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?"
They said in reply, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah;
still others, 'One of the ancient prophets has arisen.'"
Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Peter said in reply, "The Christ of God."
He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.

He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised."