Who am I to you?

Jesus asked very poignant questions in his time, questions that made you think. He asked Peter, “but who do you say that I am?” Really he asked him, “who am I to you? What is our relationship?”

This is similar to Native People when they meet for the first time.  They want to know, “who are you or who are you related to?” This information tells a lot about oneself and also the character of one’s people. The emphasis is on who you are rather than on what do you do? What defines you?

Jesus poses the same question to you, “who do you say that I am?” The answer says a lot about who you are. Can you answer as quickly as Simon Peter, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God?” We can answer without hesitation if Jesus is truly our relative.

—Deacon Marlon Leneaugh is the Director of Native Ministries in the Diocese of Rapid City, SD.