I am sure you have heard the phrase, “Actions Speak Louder Than words. Meaning, if you believe something then what you do should correspond to what you believe. In a study by a University specializing in Communications, found that 7% of the population when communicating are best understood with words. Next, they found 18% of the population is understood with their tone of voice. For example, if your tone of voice was more abrupt or more welcoming made a difference in your communication. Then came the astounding find that 75% of the population comprehend and communicate best through actions. People understand best by what they see us do. And so the adage, “ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS” IS pretty accurate – at least for 75% of the world’s population. In the Gospel this weekend, Jesus is curious about what people think of him. So he asks his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Then we get from the disciples what they are hearing others say about Jesus. Some say your John the Baptist, and others that you are Elijah from the Old Testament come back to life. Now comes the real test to see what impact Jesus’ actions had upon His close friends, His disciples. So, He very pointedly looks them squarely in the eye and asks, “But you, who do YOU say that I am?” I believe Jesus asks each of us that very same question. Can you even answer that question yourself without hesitation as Peter did? Just who is Jesus for you? Is Jesus your hero? Your companion? Your ‘favor grantor’? Is Jesus so close to you that He knows every beat of your heart. Perhaps you feel Jesus is so far away from your life somewhere ‘up there’ that you feel a need to appease Him by simply being a ‘good’ person? Peter knew Jesus for sure. Peter’s entire life was changed by the Son of God so much so He came to believe that Jesus was the Christ, truly, the Son of God. He was able to answer Jesus’ question in a single sentence – could you? Jesus then says, blest are you Simon Peter for no man revealed this to you. In other words, Peter came to believe from his heart and not his head. Then Jesus says to Peter, I give to you the keys of the Kingdom! The kingdom keys are not merely reserved for St. Peter, but to everyone who has an intimate and loving relationship with Jesus. Think about this: Your religion doesn’t save you, change you, heal you, forgive you, or set you free. JESUS DOES. So, you, who do you say that I am? Fr. Roach
