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In this meditation we pray with an encounter between Jesus and his friends, who have journeyed up towards the base of Mount Hermon (in the Golon Heights), to a place where there is an ancient temple to the Greek god Pan. (Matthew 16:13-16). 

Here he speaks to his friends about his own identity, first asking who are people saying that I am? 

Whether this is a PR question, or he wants them to ponder this, or he is truly exploring this question for himself, we don’t know. But apparently there has been a lot of buzz because several different answers are offered: some say that you’re Moses, or Jeremiah, John the Baptist or another prophet.

And when Jesus asks “who do you say that I am?” and Peter answers “The Messiah,” I think it is good to bear in mind that Peter has a very deep, rich understanding of what ‘the Messiah’ means.

There is more to this encounter but today we are going to stay with this little bit.

As you reflect on these questions for yourself, I invite you to come to them with your own cultural context and understanding. To come with your perspective on the world at this moment in history, your understanding of God and what you and your people are longing for. 

I also invite you to be very honest with Jesus when he asks: who do you say that I am? There is no point saying, even to yourself, the answer you think you ought to say or the answer you think you’d like to say. Who do you truly think that Jesus is? I invite you to dialogue.

BLESSINGS AS YOU PRAY

With much love,

Lissy

Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer – space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God’s love for you today – drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina.

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All music by Pete Hatch.