Questions for life.

It is very difficult to imagine life without questions. Jesus asks his disciples: “Who do people think I am” (Mk 8:27)? But at the same time he asks: “And who do you think I am” (Mk 8:29)?

The Gospel says that Jesus becomes more and more known. The surrounding notices what he teaches, and his miracle es, confronts Jesus’ life with their own. Jesus begins to have more followers, but also enemies. In the crowd, they start talking about Jesus as John the Baptist, as Elijah, or as one of the prophets. They do not know why Jesus came into the world. He is considered by many to be one of them, with the fact that he is gifted by God with special graces. Only Jesus knows that the nation has not yet recognized that God is turning to them, that he is sending them his Son. The crowd occasionally meets Jesus.

Only the Twelve, whom Jesus himself chose from the crowd, remain with Jesus permanently. Jesus knows about his death to reconcile people with the Father. The cross – like a lengthening shadow, falls on Jesus’ path, and a serious and urgent need emerges for him to initiate his disciples into the mystery of his life and mission on earth. He must prepare the disciples to obtain an unequivocal judgment of himself. In the silence of the circle of the Twelve, he asks the disciples serious questions. To the second question: Peter answers him: “You are the Messiah” (Mk 8:29). Peter’s answer is a great moment in the history of mankind. With Peter’s answer, the veil of the mystery of redemption is torn for the first time. In the light of faith, what the Holy Spirit caused, man, Peter utters God’s mystery, which cannot be known by human senses, which can only be seen in God-given faith.

Jesus asks us to know how to say “no” to our “I”. Jesus wants us to always know how to say “yes” to God. Only the one who denies himself, who says “no” to himself, can begin to follow the Master and may confess to him. Jesus clearly expresses this before his martyrdom by comparing that we must take up the cross, as he did, and we are obliged to carry our cross. This is how we manifest our full union with the Lord. Our faith is in fulfilling the will of Christ, and then we share in God’s love.

Many people encounter the teachings of Christ. They know about his teaching, they know it, but do they keep it? Do they follow his orders? Do they live by them? Here is a place for serious thought. We understand – who is Christ? Knowing Christ does not mean believing in Christ. Believing is different from knowing. Whoever wants to be Christ must follow Christ. Christ came into the world to sacrifice his life for the whole world. Christ rightfully asks us to submit everything in the world, our life, to Him. With their actions, they proved what we know what we hear, and what we talk about. Faith in Christ alone is not enough. We know that even the devil knows who Christ is, but he does not act accordingly