25th Friday in Ordinary Time - Year A

Hi, this is Father Nick Smith, pastor of St. Patrick's in Perry.

Today the Lord asks his disciples a question, the ultimate question, perhaps the only question worth finding an answer to on this side of eternity.

Who do you say that I am? The answer to this question will determine our destiny.

Jesus cannot only be a man or merely a prophet, but as Peter says in reply, the Christ of God.

The Lord is the bridge between heaven and earth, between God and man, fully divine and fully human.

He has come to redeem the human race, and it is only through his name that the peoples will be saved.

If this is our conviction, then this will drive all missionary efforts of the church, because we want that name to be proclaimed to the ends of the earth.

Christianity is not our opinion, but it is the saving truth that everyone needs.

So let us continue to pray that this message of the gospel will be proclaimed to all four corners of the world, Let's also ask the Holy Spirit for the grace and the strength to carry out that mission ourselves in all of our interactions, in our corner of the world, in our particular vocation.

May God bless you and let us continue praying for each other.