In yesterday’s Gospel, Jesus asks his beloved friends who they say He is. Peter responds with “You are the Christ.” Who we are to one another varies.  Some days we can recognize the Christ in those around us; other days we are the Christ. Some days we build the kingdom and are the rock that others need. Some days we bear much fruit. 

I was thinking oddly enough at mass with my recently widowed aunt yesterday how people see each one another. I watched as other parishioners gave condolences to my aunt and was warmed at how they thought my uncle was a good man. An image came to my mind though as one woman who obviously did not know my uncle had passed talked about trivial things. In Hunger Games when one of the competitors dies, a cannon is fired off and everyone stops to look up at the image of the deceased that appears. That seems like such a fitting way to let the world know that someone has passed. Everyone stops for a moment and acknowledges the death of this person who has passed. The world pauses temporarily, long enough to shed a tear or shake their head, and then can carry on. 

Who do people say we are? Tomorrow my cousin will deliver the eulogy and we will hear who he thought my uncle was but each of the children have their own precious memories of my uncle. His wife will have similar ones but also more intimate memories of sharing 49 years together. There is not a lot you can hide when you live with someone for that length of time.  One of the dearest handles for believers is to be known as Jesus was-a son of the Living God.  My uncle wore that cloak well. May he rest In peace.

Peace,

Suzanne