“Who do you say that I am?”

The same question that Jesus asked his disciples at Caesarea Philippi was the same one that we were compelled to answer today concerning our relationship with Him. This is the place we had the privilege to visit. An interesting fact we learned about Caesarea Philippi during this visit was that in Jesus’ days this location was the site of many altars built to different gods. In this place, Jesus poses this question to his followers: “Who do you say that I am?” (Mt. 16:15)

This question is a very personal question, one that has relevance to our present time in which many ‘gods’ are present in our lives. We are called to conversion, to get rid of these false gods in our lives, and to come to a more profound communion and understanding of Jesus, the Son of God!

At this place, from the side of this mountain, abundant water flows, seemingly coming out from nowhere. This is one of the three springs at the beginning of the Jordan River. This crystal clear water helped me connect Jesus’ baptism as his preparation for ministry with my preparation for ministry to the people that will be entrusted to my care; a continuation of Jesus’ own ministry. Green, fertile, beautiful landscapes, a fresh breeze from the water, and above all, letting my imagination see what the Son of Man saw, smell what the Son of God might smell and encounter what he inspires me to encounter; people from all over the world coming to this very place not just by themselves but carrying family, friends, cultures life and some curiosity. Many languages are day-by-day present in this place to which Jesus remains asking us: “Who do you say that I am?” 

This question happened in a place that a thousand generations have past by. Now is our turn to stop by and tell him: “You are the Son of God, and you are all in my life.”