Wednesday, July 21

"Who do you say that I am?"
—Matthew 16:15

It is a difficult question that Jesus asks. "Who do you say that I am?" When Jesus asked his disciple Peter that question, Peter was graced with vision. Deep inside he felt the summons of God to look for God, and he did. It didn't take all night vigils on Peter's part; he didn't need to join a monastery or wear a hair shirt. What was required was a listening to the movement of God within, and responding to that movement.

It is not good works or long prayers that will make us reach God, and there is really nothing we can do in terms of activities to ensure that the questions of our heart are answered. But we can be attentive. 

We can turn off the television and spend 10 minutes in silence. We can become aware of impulses within us to care for others or to love without condition, to accept without judgment those who are different from us. We can find in the daily occurrences of life the voice of God whispering to us to seek more—more—more of that God who has created us and loved us into being. 

We can become still in order to feel the pulse of the Spirit throbbing within us. In our attentiveness and awareness God will be revealed in us and the questions that have been scurrying through our minds will be answered by God, God's self. When, in the silence of our soul, we hear the question, "Who do you say that I am?" surprisingly, we will know.

O God, at times I don't feel I can answer the question of who you are. Yet, my soul is seeking. Honor my search by the revelation of your loving presence.

These Signposts originally appeared on explorefaith in 2003.