9th Week in Ordinary Time : Friday 9th June 2023

Who do you say Jesus is to you? Ask this question, and we will get a range of subjective answers, from Jesus as a moral teacher who challenged the status quo and existing culture of the day to a meek and mild humanitarian. These answers often reflect the respondents’ own preconceived social and political commitments. This was no different from the crowd in the Temple. They accepted the Messiah as the offspring of David, who they envisioned would be a great political leader with mighty military powers to liberate them from Roman oppression. This understanding was deficient, and Jesus used it as a teachable moment to directly challenge the scribes present, who were biblical scholars. He asked, “How can the scribes maintain that Christ is the son of David?”

In a patriarchal society, as was – then, – the father always ruled, and his word was law. It was unacceptable that he would call his son lord. So how is it that – David addressed his son, the Messiah (Christ), as Lord, someone who had authority over him? In engaging the crowd, Jesus quoted Psalm 110. “The Lord said to my Lord…” as a way of affirming that He is both fully God and fully man. Both the Son of God and thus the God of David, and the Son of David and therefore from the lineage of David.

“Who do you say that I am?” The answer to this question was revealed by the Holy Spirit and not by man. It is relational, not ideological.

Lord Jesus, help me live fully in the Spirit that I can say with regard to every aspect of my life, ‘Jesus is Lord.’

Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus – First Day (8th June): Open Heart